Aerosol generation device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device comprising: a housing having a storage space; a cartridge that is detachably connected to the storage space of the housing and has a storage tank for storing an aerosol generating material and an atomization unit that atomizes the aerosol generating material; a sensor that is arranged adjacent to the storage space of the housing and detects the capacitance of the storage tank; a cover that is arranged between the cartridge and the sensor to protect the sensor; and a processor that is electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the processor detects the remaining amount of aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank based on the capacitance of the storage tank detected through the sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device capable of measuring the remaining amount of aerosol generating material through a sensor.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, the demand for alternative methods to overcome the disadvantages of conventional cigarettes has been increasing. For example, instead of a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette, there is an increasing demand for a system that generates an aerosol by heating a cigarette or aerosol generating material using an aerosol generating device. Accordingly, research on heat-type aerosol generating devices has been actively conducted.

[0003] The aerosol generating device can generate an aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol generating material stored in a cartridge. In order for the aerosol generating device to operate properly, it is required to detect the amount of aerosol generating material remaining in the cartridge.

[0004] Research on technologies for accurately measuring the remaining amount of aerosol generating material is gradually increasing in order to inform the user whether the aerosol generating device can be used and to provide a more homogeneous aerosol.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] If the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material is not detected, it cannot be confirmed whether the aerosol generating device can be used, which may cause inconvenience to the user. In addition, the degree to which the aerosol generating material is heated varies depending on the remaining amount, and if the remaining amount is not detected, there is a risk that the aerosol will be provided inhomogeneously.

[0006] Various embodiments of the present invention provide an aerosol generating device capable of detecting the remaining amount of aerosol generating material through a sensor, thereby improving the precision of detecting the remaining amount of aerosol generating material. **Means for Solving the Problems**

[0007] An aerosol generating device according to an embodiment includes a housing having an accommodation space, a cartridge detachably coupled to the accommodation space of the housing and including a storage tank for storing an aerosol generating material and an atomizing unit for atomizing the aerosol generating material, a sensor disposed adjacent to the accommodation space of the housing for detecting the capacitance of the storage tank, a cover disposed between the cartridge and the sensor for protecting the sensor, and a processor electrically connected to the sensor. The processor can detect the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material stored in the storage tank based on the capacitance of the storage tank detected through the sensor. **Advantages of the Invention**

[0008] The aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present invention can minimize the distance between the cartridge and the sensor for measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material, thereby improving the detection precision regarding the remaining amount of the aerosol generating material.

[0009] In addition, the aerosol generating device according to various embodiments of the present invention can provide information regarding the use of the aerosol generating device to the user, increasing convenience. Since the aerosol generating device can adjust the degree of heating the aerosol generating material based on the measured remaining amount, it can provide a more homogeneous aerosol.

[0010] The effects according to the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings. **Brief Description of the Drawings**

[0011]

Figure 1

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Figure 5C

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0012] As terms used in the embodiments, general terms that are currently widely used as much as possible in view of the functions in the present invention are selected. However, this may change depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Also, in specific cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant. In this case, the meaning thereof is described in detail in the description part of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention must be defined based not on the simple name of the terms but on the meaning the terms have and the overall content of the present invention.

[0013] Throughout the specification, when a part states that a certain component "includes" something, this means, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, that it can further include other components and does not exclude other components. Also, terms such as "~ part" and "~ module" described in the specification mean units that process at least one function or operation, and these can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0014] As used in this specification, when an expression such as "at least any one of" is in front of the components arranged, it modifies the entire set of components rather than each individual arranged component. For example, the expression "at least any one of a, b, and c" must be interpreted to include a, b, c, or a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c.

[0015] In one embodiment, an aerosol generating device is a device that electrically heats a cigarette housed in an internal space to generate an aerosol.

[0016] The aerosol generating device includes a heater. In one embodiment, the heater is an electric resistance heater. For example, the heater includes an electrically conductive track, and when an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track, the heater is heated.

[0017] The heater includes a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and depending on the shape of the heating element, heats the inside or outside of the cigarette.

[0018] The cigarette includes a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be made of a sheet, a strand, or shredded tobacco made from a finely cut tobacco sheet. Also, the tobacco rod can be surrounded by a heat-conductive material. For example, the heat-conductive material can be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited to this.

[0019] The filter rod is also a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod can be composed of at least one or more segments. For example, the filter rod can include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol.

[0020] In other embodiments, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substance.

[0021] The aerosol generating device includes a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substance and a main body that supports the cartridge. The cartridge is detachably coupled to the main body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be integrally formed with the main body, assembled, or fixed so as not to be detached by the user. The cartridge is attached to the main body with the aerosol generating substance accommodated therein. However, without being limited thereto, the aerosol generating substance may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the main body.

[0022] The cartridge has an aerosol generating substance in any one of various states such as a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, and a gel state. The aerosol generating substance includes a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance containing a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance.

[0023] The cartridge can perform a function of converting the phase of the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase by operating by an electrical signal or a wireless signal transmitted from the main body, etc., to generate an aerosol. The aerosol means a gas in a state where vaporized particles generated from the aerosol generating substance and air are mixed.

[0024] In yet other embodiments, the aerosol generating device heats the liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol is transmitted to the user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition moves along the air flow path of the aerosol generating device, and the air flow path is configured such that the aerosol passes through the cigarette and is transmitted to the user.

[0025] In yet other embodiments, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating substance using an ultrasonic vibration method. At this time, the ultrasonic vibration method means a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating substance with ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0026] The aerosol generating device includes a vibrator that generates vibrations with a short period through the vibrator to atomize the aerosol generating substance. The vibrations generated by the vibrator are ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency band of the ultrasonic vibrations is in the frequency band of about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz, but is not limited thereto.

[0027] The aerosol generating device further includes a core that absorbs the aerosol generating substance. For example, the core is arranged to cover at least one region of the vibrator or to contact at least one region of the vibrator.

[0028] When a voltage (for example, an alternating voltage) is applied to the vibrator, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the vibrator, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator are transmitted to the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the core. The aerosol generating substance absorbed by the core is converted into the gas phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, and as a result, an aerosol is generated.

[0029] For example, due to the heat generated from the oscillator, the viscosity of the aerosol product substance absorbed by the core decreases, and due to the ultrasonic vibration generated from the oscillator, the aerosol product substance with decreased viscosity is atomized into fine particles, thereby generating an aerosol, but it is not limited thereto.

[0030] In still other embodiments, the aerosol generating device is a device that generates an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating article accommodated in the aerosol generating device by an induction heating method.

[0031] The aerosol generating device includes a susceptor and a coil. In one embodiment, the coil applies a magnetic field to the susceptor. When power is supplied from the aerosol generating device to the coil, a magnetic field is formed inside the coil. In one embodiment, the susceptor is a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field. When the susceptor is located inside the coil and a magnetic field is applied, the aerosol generating article is heated by generating heat. Also, optionally, the susceptor may be located inside the aerosol generating article.

[0032] In still other embodiments, the aerosol generating device further includes a cradle.

[0033] The aerosol generating device constitutes a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle charges the battery of the aerosol generating device. Or, the heater may be heated in a state where the cradle and the aerosol generating device are coupled.

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present invention is implemented in a form that can be embodied in the aerosol generating devices of the various embodiments described above, or is implemented in various different forms, but is not limited to the embodiments described here.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0037] Referring to Figure 1, an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment includes a housing 120 into which an aerosol generating article 110 is inserted.

[0038] The housing 120 forms the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100 and includes an internal space (or "arrangement space") in which the components of the aerosol generating device 100 are arranged. In the drawings, only an embodiment in which the overall cross-section of the housing 120 is formed in a semi-circular shape is shown, but the shape of the housing 120 is not limited thereto. The housing 120 is generally formed in a substantially cylindrical shape or also in a polygonal columnar shape (for example, a triangular columnar shape or a square columnar shape).

[0039] In the internal space of the housing 120, components for heating the aerosol generating article 110 inserted into the housing 120 to generate an aerosol and components for measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance are arranged. Specific descriptions thereof will be given later.

[0040] The aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment further includes a display on which visual information is displayed.

[0041] The display is arranged such that at least a partial region is exposed outside the housing 120, and the aerosol generating device 100 provides various visual information to the user through the display.

[0042] For example, the aerosol generating device 100 can provide information regarding the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance through the display, but the information provided through the display is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0043] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the components of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment includes a housing 120, a heater 210, a battery 220, a printed circuit board (PCB) 230, a sensor 310, a cover 320, and a cartridge 330.

[0045] The housing 120 includes the overall appearance of the aerosol generating device 100 and has an internal space in which the components of the aerosol generating device 100 are arranged. For example, the heater 210, the battery 220, the printed circuit board (PCB) 230, the sensor 310, and the cover 320 are arranged in the internal space of the housing 120, but are not limited thereto.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the housing 120 has an accommodation space 240 for an aerosol generating article 110 into which the aerosol generating article 110 can be inserted. At least a part of the aerosol generating article 110 is inserted or accommodated into the housing 120 through the accommodation space 240 for the aerosol generating article.

[0047] In the drawings, an embodiment is shown in which the accommodation space 240 for the aerosol generating article is formed in a region of the housing 120 facing the +z axis direction, but the arrangement structure of the accommodation space 240 for the aerosol generating article is not limited to the shown embodiment.

[0048] The cartridge 330 includes a storage tank for storing an aerosol generating substance and an atomizing unit for vaporizing the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generating device 100 generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance through the cartridge 330. The aerosol generated by the cartridge 330 is transmitted to the user.

[0049] The aerosol product substance includes a liquid composition and an aerosol forming agent. The liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing substance including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco substance. For example, the liquid composition includes water, a solvent, ethanol, a plant extract, a fragrance, a flavoring agent, or a vitamin mixture. The fragrance includes menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and aroma components of various fruits, etc., and the flavoring agent includes components that can provide various fragrances or flavors to the user. The vitamin mixture is a mixture in which at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E is mixed, but is not limited thereto.

[0050] The aerosol forming agent can increase the amount of aerosol smoke provided from the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the aerosol forming agent includes at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. Further, the aerosol forming agent includes other additive substances such as a flavoring agent, a wetting agent, and / or an organic acid, and may further include a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizing agent.

[0051] The storage tank stores the aerosol product substance. When smoking is performed on the aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating device 100 is transmitted to the user, whereby the aerosol product substance stored in the storage tank is consumed, and the amount of the aerosol product substance remaining in the storage tank decreases.

[0052] When the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance changes, it is required that the heating characteristics for vaporizing the aerosol product substance also be changed. Also, when the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance is insufficient, the provision of the aerosol is interrupted during smoking. Therefore, it is required to detect the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance inside the storage tank.

[0053] The storage tank is manufactured in various shapes. The storage tank includes an internal space for storing the liquid aerosol product substance and a wall surface forming the internal space. For example, the storage tank can be columnar with an internal space composed of a bottom surface, a ceiling surface, and side surfaces. However, it is not limited to this, and the storage tank may be embodied in other shapes capable of storing the liquid aerosol product substance.

[0054] The atomizing unit vaporizes the aerosol product substance. The atomizing unit vaporizes the aerosol product substance by heating the aerosol product substance stored in the storage tank. For example, the atomizing unit can transfer the aerosol product substance outside the storage tank and heat the aerosol product substance transferred outside.

[0055] The atomizing unit includes a liquid transfer means and a heating element. The liquid transfer means may be a means for transferring the aerosol product substance outside the storage tank, and the heating element may be an element for heating the aerosol product substance transferred outside the storage tank by the liquid transfer means. For example, the liquid transfer means may be a wick for transferring the aerosol product substance outside the storage tank, and the heating element may be a coil for heating the aerosol product substance transferred along the wick.

[0056] Specifically, the wick can include at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic that transfers the aerosol generating material through capillary action, and the coil can be arranged in a shape wound around the wick and can include a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire that generates heat by the supplied current, but is not limited to this.

[0057] The cartridge 330 is detached from the aerosol generating device 100. The cartridge 330 may be coupled to the aerosol generating device 100 to generate an aerosol or may be separated from the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the cartridge 330 is a consumable that is periodically replaced when the aerosol generating device 100 is used. When all of the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage tank of the cartridge 330 is consumed, the cartridge 330 is replaced by the user.

[0058] The heater 210 is located in the internal space of the housing 120 and heats the aerosol generating article 110 inserted into the interior of the housing 120 through the accommodation space 240 of the aerosol generating article to generate an aerosol.

[0059] The vaporized particles generated by heating the aerosol generating article 110 are mixed with the air flowing into the internal space of the housing 120 through the accommodation space 240 of the aerosol generating article, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0060] In one example, the heater 210 includes an induction heater. For example, the heater 210 includes a coil (or "electrically conductive coil") that generates an alternating magnetic field when power is supplied and a susceptor that generates heat by the alternating magnetic field generated by the coil. The susceptor is arranged to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 110 inserted into the housing 120 and can heat the inserted aerosol generating article 110.

[0061] In another example, the heater 210 can include an electrical resistance heater. For example, the heater 210 includes a film heater arranged to surround at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the aerosol generating article 110 inserted into the housing 120. The film heater includes an electrically conductive track, and when an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track, the film heater generates heat to heat the aerosol generating article 110 inserted into the housing 120.

[0062] In yet another example, the heater 210 includes at least one of a needle-shaped heater, a rod-shaped heater, and a tube-shaped heater that heats the interior of the aerosol-generating article 110 inserted into the housing 120. The above-described heater 210 can be inserted into at least one region of the aerosol-generating article 110, for example, to heat the interior of the aerosol-generating article 110.

[0063] The heater 210 is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the embodiment of the heater 210 can be variable as long as it can heat the aerosol-generating article 110 to a specified temperature. In the present invention, the "specified temperature" means the temperature at which the aerosol-generating substance contained in the aerosol-generating article 110 is heated to generate an aerosol. The specified temperature is a preset temperature for the aerosol-generating device 100, but this temperature may vary depending on the type of the aerosol-generating device 100 and / or the operation of the user.

[0064] The sensor 310 measures the capacitance of the cartridge 330 to detect the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substance. The sensor 310 includes at least a pair of electrodes. Each of the two paired electrodes functions as a capacitor that stores charges of opposite signs. The capacitance of the two paired electrodes is determined by the dielectric constant of the substance located in the space between the two paired electrodes.

[0065] The sensor 310 provides information regarding the dielectric constant of the substance located in the vicinity of the electrodes by measuring the capacitance of each pair of electrodes that make up the electrodes. From the information regarding the dielectric constant, it is determined whether the space near the electrodes is filled with the aerosol-generating substance or an empty space is formed, and then the remaining amount of the aerosol-generating substance is detected.

[0066] The vicinity of the electrodes means the vicinity of at least one pair of electrodes that make up the electrodes. The vicinity of the pair composed of the first electrode and the second electrode means not only the space formed between the first electrode and the second electrode but also the space extended to a certain range from the space.

[0067] In order to measure the capacitance of a pair composed of a pair of opposing first and second electrodes, the sensor 310 can measure the current returned from either one of the first and second electrodes after applying a current to either one of the first and second electrodes. The sensor 310 utilizes the relationship between both currents to derive the capacitance of the pair composed of the first and second electrodes. The sensor 310 is connected to the first and second electrodes by conducting wires in order to transmit and receive current with the first and second electrodes.

[0068] The sensor 310 is composed of two or more electrodes forming pairs arranged continuously. The sensor 310 is arranged so as to face one side of the cartridge 330. A specific example of the sensor 310 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3. The capacitance of the cartridge 330 is measured by the sensor 310, and the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance is detected from the measured capacitance. Thereby, information regarding the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance is provided to the user, increasing convenience. Further, the power supplied to the atomizing unit 720 is controlled according to the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance, and the aerosol can be provided more uniformly from the aerosol generating device 100, improving the smoking quality.

[0069] The cover 320 serves to protect the sensor 310 from the outside. For example, the cover 320 is arranged so as to surround at least one region of the sensor 310, preventing the sensor 310 from being exposed to the outside of the housing 120, thereby protecting the sensor 310 from external impacts or external foreign substances (for example, droplets, dust, etc.).

[0070] Further, the cover 320 is arranged so that the sensor 310 does not come into direct contact with the cartridge 330. A specific example of the cover 320 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0071] The aerosol generating device 100 further includes a battery 220 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 230. The battery 220 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 230 provided in the aerosol generating device 100 are arranged at the lower end of the aerosol generating device 100. However, it is not limited thereto, and the positions of the components arranged in the aerosol generating device 100 may be changed according to the design. In addition to the components shown in FIG. 2, other general-purpose components may be further included in the aerosol generating device 100.

[0072] The battery 220 may be a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO 4 ) battery, but is not limited thereto. For example, the battery 220 may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or the like.

[0073] The battery 220 supplies power to the atomizing unit. When the atomizing unit includes a core and a coil, the battery 220 supplies power to the coil surrounding the core to heat the aerosol generating substance transferred along the core. In addition, the battery 220 supplies the power required for the sensor 310 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 230 to operate to the sensor 310 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 230.

[0074] The printed circuit board (PCB) 230 may be embodied as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be embodied as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory in which a program executed by the microprocessor is stored. The printed circuit board (PCB) 230 may be composed of a plurality of processing elements. In addition, the printed circuit board (PCB) 230 may be embodied in other forms of hardware.

[0075] The process arranged on the printed circuit board (PCB) 230 detects the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance based on the capacitance of the cartridge 330 measured by the sensor 310. For example, the process receives data regarding the capacitance of the cartridge 330 from the sensor 310, and based on the received data regarding the capacitance of the cartridge 330, derives the remaining amount (or "remaining amount level") of the aerosol product substance stored in the cartridge 330. The process determines the portion where the aerosol product substance exists inside the cartridge 330 according to the measured capacitance.

[0076] The process detects the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance in various ways. The capacitance measurement value of the cartridge 330 is experimentally predetermined according to the remaining amount level of the aerosol product substance, and the process can input the capacitance and output the remaining amount level of the aerosol product substance stored in the cartridge 330 based on a database regarding the correspondence between the capacitance and the remaining amount level. However, without being limited thereto, the process may derive the remaining amount level of the aerosol product substance stored in the cartridge 330 by an algorithm that calculates the remaining amount level based on the measured capacitance.

[0077] The process controls the power supplied from the battery 220 to the atomization part based on the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance. Regarding the atomization part including the core and the coil, when the remaining amount level of the aerosol product substance is high, the speed at which the aerosol product substance is transferred outside the cartridge 330 along the core is fast. When the remaining amount level of the aerosol product substance is low, the speed at which the aerosol product substance is transferred outside the cartridge 330 along the core is slow.

[0078] When the speed at which the aerosol product substance is transferred is fast, it is required that more power be supplied to the coil. When the speed at which the aerosol product substance is transferred is slow, it is required that less power be supplied to the coil. On the other hand, the speed at which the aerosol product substance is transferred is affected by additional factors such as the temperature inside the cartridge 330.

[0079] If power corresponding to the speed at which the aerosol generating substance is transferred is not supplied, there is a risk that the aerosol may be generated unevenly from the aerosol generating device 100. Also, if the speed at which the aerosol generating substance is transferred is slow, there is a risk that the core will burn and cause problems unless the power supply is reduced. The process improves the quality of the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating device 100 by controlling the power supplied to the coil based on the remaining amount level of the aerosol generating substance.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of some components of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the upper part of the aerosol generating device 100 in FIG. 2.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 3, an aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment includes a housing 120, a heater 210, a sensor 310, a cover 320, a cartridge 330, and a connection passage 340. At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment is the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 2, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted below.

[0082] The connection passage 340 may be disposed in the internal space of the housing 120 and can fluidly communicate (or fluidly connect) the aerosol generating article 110 and the cartridge 330.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the connection passage 340 may be arranged such that the aerosol generated in the cartridge 330 is discharged to the outside through the aerosol generating article 110. For example, the connection passage 340 is formed in an "L" shape and arranged to fluidly interlock the aerosol generating article 110 and the cartridge 330, but the shape of the connection passage 340 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0084] Due to the above-described arrangement structure of the connection passage 340, the aerosol generating article 110 and the cartridge 330 can be in fluid communication. As a result, the aerosol generated in the cartridge 330 flows into the interior of the connection passage 340, passes through the aerosol generating article 110, and is then discharged outside the aerosol generating device 100.

[0085] The aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment includes a sensor 310 and a cover 320 inside the housing 120. The sensor 310 for measuring the capacitance of the cartridge 330 may be arranged in a space separated from the cartridge 330 so as not to directly contact the aerosol generating substance in order to improve the measurement accuracy. Also, in order to improve the measurement accuracy, the sensor 310 may be arranged inside the housing 120 so as not to be directly exposed to the outside.

[0086] In one example, the cartridge 330 and the sensor 310 are arranged in different regions of the internal space of the housing 120. By separating the cartridge 330 and the sensor 310, the contact between the sensor 310 and the aerosol generating substance can be minimized, and the sensor 310 can more accurately measure the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge 330. Also, the sensor 310 is separated by a specified distance from the cartridge 330 in order to improve the measurement accuracy while not directly contacting the aerosol generating substance.

[0087] In another example, the cover 320 may be arranged to surround at least one side surface of the sensor 310. When the sensor 310 is exposed to an external impact or external foreign matter (e.g., droplets, dust, etc.), the measurement accuracy of the sensor 310 may be reduced. When the cover 320 is arranged to surround both side surfaces of the sensor 310, the sensor 310 is protected from external impacts or external foreign matter. Also, even when the cover 320 is arranged to surround one side surface of the sensor 310, by arranging the other side surface of the sensor 310 to face the internal space of the housing 120, the sensor 310 is protected from external impacts or external foreign matter.

[0088] In yet another example, one side of the cover 320 may be in contact with the sensor 310, and the other side of the cover 320 may be arranged to be in contact with the cartridge 330. Thereby, the sensor 310 can be arranged at a distance from the cartridge 330 without being directly exposed to the outside. Through the above-described arrangement of the sensor 310, the cover 320, and the cartridge 330, the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of aerosol in the sensor 310 can be improved.

[0089] The higher the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of aerosol in the sensor 310, the more homogeneous the aerosol is generated. The sensor 310 according to one embodiment measures the remaining amount of aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge 330, and based on this, the process supplies power from the battery 220 to the atomizing section to generate a more homogeneous aerosol. The more homogeneously generated aerosol is discharged to the outside through the aerosol generating article 110 along the connection passage 340, and the user is provided with a better smoking experience.

[0090] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of some components of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an exploded view of the sensor 310 of the aerosol generating device 100 in FIG. 3 and some components arranged around the sensor 310.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment includes a sensor 310, a cover 320, a cartridge 330, a sensor cover 420, a sealing portion 350, and an electrical connection member 430 in the internal space of the housing 120.

[0092] The cartridge 330 is detachable from the aerosol generating device 100. When all the aerosol generating substances inside the cartridge 330 are exhausted, the user can replace only the cartridge and reuse the aerosol generating device 100.

[0093] The housing 120 includes a coupling member 410 for coupling the cartridge 330 to a region of the housing 120. When the cartridge 330 is coupled to the aerosol generating device 100, the coupling member 410 can fix the cartridge 330 to the aerosol generating device 100.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the cover 320 may be in contact with one side surface of the sensor 310 and may be disposed between the sensor 310 and the cartridge 330. The coupling member 410 fixes the sensor 310 and the cover 320 to the aerosol generating device 100 together with the cartridge 330.

[0095] The sensor cover 420 is disposed so that a partial region of the sensor 310 is not exposed. If one side surface of the sensor 310 is surrounded by the cover 320, the other side surface of the sensor 310 is exposed. By surrounding the other exposed side surface of the sensor 310 with the sensor cover 420, the sensor 310 can be protected.

[0096] The sealing portion 350 prevents leakage that occurs in the process in which the aerosol generated by the cartridge 330 moves through the connection passage 340 to the accommodation space of the aerosol generating article (for example, the accommodation space 240 of the aerosol generating article in FIG. 2). For example, the aerosol generated by the cartridge 330 flows into the inside of the connection passage 340 and then moves along the connection passage 340 to the accommodation space of the aerosol generating article in which the aerosol generating article 110 is accommodated. Although there is a risk that at least a part of the aerosol leaks outside the connection passage during the movement of the aerosol along the connection passage 340, the aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment can stop the leakage of the aerosol by the sealing portion 350 disposed between the cartridge 330 and the connection passage 340.

[0097] The electrical connection member 430 connects the sensor 310 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 230 disposed at the lower part of the housing 120. The printed circuit board (PCB) 230 includes a processor, and the processor is connected to the sensor 310 through the electrical connection member 430. Through the above-described electrical connection relationship, the processor receives data regarding the capacitance of the cartridge 330 from the sensor and detects the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance based on the received data.

[0098] FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing an example of the cover and the sensor. FIG. 5B is a front view of the cover. FIG. 5C is a front view of the sensor.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 5A, in one embodiment, the sensor 310 is disposed such that at least one side surface of the sensor 310 is in contact with the cover 320. The entire one side surface of the sensor 310 may be disposed in contact with the cover 320. For example, the entire one side surface of the sensor 310 may be disposed so as to be surrounded by the cover 320.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the sensor 310 and the cover 320 may be integrally formed. For example, the sensor 310 and the cover 320 are integrally formed by insert molding (or "insert injection") the sensor 310 in at least one region of the cover 320. By insert molding the sensor 310 in the cover 320, the entire one side surface of the sensor 310 is disposed in contact with the cover 320. That is, one side surface of the sensor 310 is disposed to face one side surface of the cover 320.

[0101] The sensor 310 and the cover 320 are made of materials suitable for insert molding. For example, the sensor 310 is made of a metal material and the cover 320 is made of a plastic material so that insert molding can be performed. However, the materials of the sensor 310 and the cover 320 are not limited thereto.

[0102] The shape of the sensor 310 shown in FIG. 5A is merely one embodiment of the sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320. Depending on the arrangement of other components disposed inside the housing 120, the sensor 310 can be insert-molded into the cover 320 in various shapes.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 5B and 5C, the cover 320 and the sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320 according to one embodiment include holes through which the coupling member 410 and / or the seal 350 can pass.

[0104] The sensor 310 according to one embodiment further includes a structural portion 510. The structural portion 510 protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction from the sensor 310 toward the cartridge 330. One region of the structural portion 510 is in contact with the sensor 310, and another region of the structural portion 510 is connected to the electrical connection member 430. The structural portion 510 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C is merely an example, and depending on the arrangement of the components, the structural portion 510 can be disposed at various positions of the sensor 310.

[0105] The structural portion 510 electrically connects the sensor 310 and an electrical connection member 430 that electrically connects the sensor 310 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 230. Data regarding the capacitance of the cartridge 330 measured by the sensor 310 is received by a process included in the printed circuit board (PCB) 230 through the structural portion 510 and the electrical connection member 430.

[0106] The sensor 310 is composed of one or more pairs of electrodes. The sensor 310 provides information regarding the dielectric constant of a substance located in the vicinity (or “near”) of the electrodes by measuring the capacitance of each of the pairs of electrodes.

[0107] The sensor 310 consists of one or more pairs of electrodes arranged continuously. For example, the sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320 measures the capacitance of the cartridge 330 located near the sensor 310, thereby providing information regarding the dielectric constant of the aerosol product substance inside the cartridge 330. By having the sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320 have an area corresponding to the area of one side surface of the cartridge 330, the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance inside the cartridge 330 can be enhanced.

[0108] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the arrangement of some components of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. The aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 6 is substantially the same as or similar to the aerosol generating device 100 in FIG. 4, and overlapping explanations are omitted below.

[0109] The sensor 310 detects the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance inside the cartridge 330 by measuring the capacitance of the cartridge 330. In order to improve the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance by the sensor 310, the sensor 310 may be arranged so as not to be exposed to the outside.

[0110] A sensor 310 according to an embodiment is insert-molded into the cover 320 to measure the capacitance of the cartridge 330. The sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320 is prevented from being exposed to the outside by having one side surface of the sensor 310 surrounded by the cover 320 and the other side surface of the sensor 310 surrounded by the sensor cover 420.

[0111] The closer the sensor 310 is to the cartridge 330, the higher the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance by the sensor 310. Also, the fewer other components present between the sensor 310 and the cartridge 330, the higher the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance by the sensor 310.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 6, one side surface of the sensor 310 insert - molded into the cover 320 is arranged to face one side surface of the cartridge 330. By having an area corresponding to the area of one side surface of the cartridge 330, the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance inside the cartridge 330 can be improved.

[0113] Also referring to FIG. 6, the sensor 310, the cover 320, and the cartridge 330 may be arranged such that only the cover 320 exists between the sensor 310 and the cartridge 330. With the above - described arrangement, the sensor 310 insert - molded into the cover 320 can minimize the distance from the cartridge 330 and can minimize the number of other component articles existing between the sensor 310 and the cartridge 330. Thereby, the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance by the sensor 310 is improved.

[0114] The more the sensor 310 comes into contact with the aerosol product substance, the lower the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance by the sensor 310. With the above - described arrangement, while minimizing the distance between the sensor 310 and the cartridge 330, the contact between the sensor 310 and the aerosol product substance can also be minimized. Thereby, the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance by the sensor 310 can be improved.

[0115] The coupling member 410 fixes the cartridge 330 to the aerosol generating device 100. The coupling member 410 fixes the sensor 310 insert - molded by the cover 320 and the cover 320 to the aerosol generating device 100 together with the cartridge 330.

[0116] In one embodiment, the sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320 includes a structural portion 510. The sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320 by the above-described arrangement can further collect data regarding the capacitance of the cartridge 330 more accurately. The collected data is received by a processor disposed on the printed circuit board (PCB) 230 through the structural portion 510 and the electrical connection member 430.

[0117] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example of a cartridge and a sensor. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an embodiment of the shapes of the sensor 310, the cover 320, and the cartridge 330 shown in FIG. 6.

[0118] In the aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment, one side surface of the sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320 is arranged to face one side surface of the cartridge 330. In order to improve the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance of the sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320, the cover 320 is arranged to be in contact with one side surface of the cartridge 330.

[0119] The closer the distance between the sensor 310 and the cartridge 330, the higher the accuracy of measuring the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance of the sensor 310. The form of one side surface of the cover 320 is formed to correspond to the form of one side surface of the cartridge 330 in contact therewith. The sensor 310 insert-molded in this way can minimize the distance from the cartridge 330.

[0120] One side surface of the sensor 310 insert-molded into the cover 320 has an area corresponding to the area of one side surface of the cartridge 330 in contact with the cover 320. The sensor 310 having such an area can measure the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance inside the cartridge 330 without missing it.

[0121] The cartridge 330 includes a storage tank 710 for storing the aerosol generating substance and an atomizing unit 720 for vaporizing the aerosol generating substance. The aerosol generating device 100 generates an aerosol from the aerosol generating substance through the cartridge 330. The aerosol generated by the cartridge 330 is transmitted to the user.

[0122] The storage tank 710 stores the aerosol generating substance. When smoking is performed on the aerosol generating device 100, the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating device 100 is transmitted to the user, whereby the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage tank 710 is consumed, and the amount of the aerosol generating substance remaining in the storage tank 710 decreases.

[0123] The cartridge 330 is detached from the aerosol generating device 100. The cartridge 330 is a consumable that is periodically replaced when the aerosol generating device 100 is used. When all of the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage tank 710 of the cartridge 330 is consumed, the user replaces the cartridge 330.

[0124] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 8, the method of operating the aerosol generating device includes steps 810 to 830. However, it is not limited thereto, and other general steps may be further included in the method of operating the aerosol generating device in addition to the steps shown in FIG. 8.

[0126] In step 810, the aerosol generating device 100 measures the capacitance of the cartridge 330 (for example, the cartridge including the storage tank storing the aerosol generating substance) by the sensor 310.

[0127] In step 820, the aerosol generating device 100 detects the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance based on the measured capacitance of the cartridge 330.

[0128] In step 830, the aerosol generating device 100 controls the power supplied to the atomizing unit 720 according to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance by a processor disposed on the printed circuit board (PCB) 230.

[0129] On the other hand, the method for operating the aerosol generating device of FIG. 8 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium in which one or more programs including instruction words for executing the method are recorded.

[0130] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for operating an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, when explaining the method for operating the aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 9, reference will be made to the components of the aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 5 and / or FIG. 6 for the explanation.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 9, in step 910, the aerosol generating device 100 according to an embodiment measures the capacitance of the cartridge 330 by the sensor 310, and measures the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage tank of the cartridge 330 based on the measured capacitance.

[0132] At this time, the processor disposed on the printed circuit board (PCB) 230 receives data regarding the capacitance of the cartridge 330 measured by the sensor 310 through the structure unit 510 and the electrical connection member 430. The processor detects the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance based on the data regarding the measured capacitance.

[0133] In step 920, the processor of the aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment compares the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance detected in step 910 with the amount of the reference aerosol generating substance specified by experiment. In the present invention, the "amount of the reference aerosol generating substance" means the minimum remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance that can generate sufficient aerosol. For example, the amount of the reference aerosol generating substance means the minimum remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance that can be vaporized by the atomizing unit 720. Also, the specified amount of the reference aerosol generating substance is stored in the processor, and the specified value may be changed according to the type of the aerosol generating device 100, the use environment, or the user's operation.

[0134] When the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance measured in step 920 is the same as or less than the remaining amount of the reference aerosol generating substance, in step 930, the processor supplies power corresponding to the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance to the atomizing unit 720. For this purpose, when the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 occurs or the puff is sensed, the processor can determine whether the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance detected through the sensor 310 is equal to or more than the amount of the reference aerosol generating substance.

[0135] In one example, the processor can output a visual notification that the operation of supplying power to the atomizing unit 720 has occurred in the aerosol generating device 100 through the display of the aerosol generating device 100, but it is not limited thereto. In another example, the processor may output an auditory notification that the operation of the aerosol generating device 100 has occurred through the speaker, or generate vibration through the motor to output a tactile notification.

[0136] In contrast, when it is determined that the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance detected in step 920 is less than the amount of the reference aerosol generating substance, the aerosol generating device 100 according to one embodiment may not perform the operation of heating the aerosol generating substance.

[0137] As an example, the processor outputs a visual notification via the display of the aerosol generating device 100 that there is insufficient aerosol generating material in the aerosol generating device 100 and that it is necessary to replace the new cartridge 330, but it is not limited thereto, and the above-described auditory notification or tactile notification may be output. When the new cartridge 330 is replaced and there is sufficient aerosol generating material remaining, the processor repeatedly performs steps 910 to 920 in order to control the power supplied to the atomizing unit 720 based on the remaining amount.

[0138] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device 100 according to another embodiment.

[0139] The aerosol generating device 100 includes a processor 1010, a sensing unit 1020, an output unit 1030, a battery 1040, a heater 1050, a user input unit 1060, a memory 1070, and a communication unit 1080. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 10. That is, those skilled in the art will understand that depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100, some of the configurations shown in FIG. 10 may be omitted or new configurations may be further added.

[0140] The sensing unit 1020 senses the state of the aerosol generating device 100 or the state around the aerosol generating device 100 and transmits the sensed information to the processor 1010. Based on the sensed information, the processor 1010 controls the aerosol generating device 100 so that various functions such as operation control of the heater 1050, restriction of smoking, determination of whether an aerosol generating article (for example, a cigarette, a cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and notification display are performed.

[0141] The sensing unit 1020 includes at least one of a temperature sensor 1022, an insertion sensing sensor 1024, and a puff sensor 1026, but is not limited thereto.

[0142] The temperature sensor 1022 senses the temperature at which the heater 1050 (or the aerosol generating substance) is heated. The aerosol generating device 100 is provided with a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 1050, or the heater 1050 itself serves as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1022 may be arranged around the battery 1040 so as to monitor the temperature of the battery 1040.

[0143] The insertion sensing sensor 1024 senses the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article. For example, the insertion sensing sensor 1024 includes at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and senses a signal change due to the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article.

[0144] The puff sensor 1026 senses the user's puff based on various physical changes in the air flow path or air flow channel. For example, the puff sensor 1026 senses the user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow rate change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0145] In addition to the sensors 1022 to 1026 described above, the sensing unit 1020 further includes at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB sensor (illuminance sensor). Since the functions of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by an ordinary technician from its name, specific descriptions are omitted.

[0146] The output unit 1030 outputs information about the state of the aerosol generating device 100 and provides it to the user. The output unit 1030 includes at least one of a display unit 1032, a haptic unit 1034, and an acoustic output unit 1036, but is not limited thereto. When the display unit 1032 and the touch pad form a layer structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display unit 1032 is also used as an input device in addition to the output device.

[0147] The display unit 1032 visually provides information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device 100 means various information such as the charge / discharge state of the battery 1040 of the aerosol generating device 100, the preheating state of the heater 1050, the insertion / removal state of the aerosol generating article, or the state in which the use of the aerosol generating device 100 is restricted (for example, detection of an abnormal article), and the display unit 1032 outputs the information to the outside. The display unit 1032 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. Further, the display unit 1032 may be in the form of an LED light emitting element.

[0148] The haptic unit 1034 converts an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus and tactually provides information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the haptic unit 1034 includes a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0149] The acoustic output unit 1036 aurally provides information about the aerosol generating device 100 to the user. For example, the acoustic output unit 1036 converts an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and outputs it to the outside.

[0150] The battery 1040 supplies the power used for the operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The battery 1040 supplies power so that the heater 1050 is heated. Also, the battery 1040 supplies the power necessary for the operation of other components provided in the aerosol generating device 100 (for example, the sensing unit 1020, the output unit 1030, the user input unit 1060, the memory 1070, and the communication unit 1080). The battery 1040 is a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 1040 is also a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0151] The heater 1050 is supplied with power from the battery 1040 to heat the aerosol generating substance. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a power conversion circuit (for example, a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 1040 and supplies it to the heater 1050. Also, when the aerosol generating device 100 generates an aerosol by an induction heating method, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power source of the battery 1040 into an AC power source.

[0152] The processor 1010, the sensing unit 1020, the output unit 1030, the user input unit 1060, the memory 1070, and the communication unit 1080 are supplied with power from the battery 1040 to perform their functions. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 1040 and supplies it to each component.

[0153] In one embodiment, the heater 1050 is formed of any suitable electrically resistive material. For example, suitable electrically resistive materials include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys such as titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. Also, the heater 130 may be embodied as, but is not limited to, a metal hot wire, a metal hot plate with electrically conductive tracks disposed thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0154] In other embodiments, the heater 1050 is an induction heating type heater. For example, the heater 1050 includes a susceptor that generates heat through a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol generating material.

[0155] The user input unit 1060 receives information input from the user or outputs information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1060 includes, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (capacitive touch type, pressure resistive film type, infrared sensing type, surface acoustic wave conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Also, although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 100 further includes a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and through the connection interface such as the USB interface, it connects to other external devices to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 1040.

[0156] The memory 1070 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device 100, and stores the data processed by the processor 1010 and the data to be processed. The memory 1070 includes at least one type of recording medium such as a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), 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. The memory 1070 stores data such as the operating time of the aerosol generating device 100, the maximum puff count, the current puff count, at least one temperature profile, and the smoking pattern of the user.

[0157] The communication unit 1080 includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 1080 includes a short-range communication unit 1082 and a wireless communication unit 1084.

[0158] The short-range communication unit 1082 includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, a short-range wireless communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a ZigBee communication unit, an infrared (IrDA, infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0159] The wireless communication unit 1084 includes, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc. The wireless communication unit 1084 may confirm and authenticate the aerosol generating device 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., the International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

[0160] The processor 1010 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. The processor 1010 may be embodied as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be embodied as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor 1010 and a memory in which a program executed by this microprocessor 1010 is stored. Those skilled in the art will also understand that it may be embodied in other forms of hardware.

[0161] The processor 1010 controls the temperature of the heater 1050 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 1040 to the heater 1050. For example, the processor 1010 controls the power supply by controlling the switching of the switching element between the battery 1040 and the heater 1050. In another example, the heating direct circuit may control the power supply to the heater 1050 according to the control command of the processor 1010.

[0162] The processor 1010 analyzes the results sensed by the sensing unit 1020 and controls the subsequent processing. For example, the processor 1010 controls the power supplied to the heater 1050 so that the operation of the heater 1050 starts or ends based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1020. As another example, the processor 1010 controls the amount of power supplied to the heater 1050 and the time during which the power is supplied so that the heater 1050 can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintain an appropriate temperature based on the results sensed by the sensing unit 1020.

[0163] Processor 1010 controls output unit 1030 based on the results sensed by sensing unit 1020. For example, if the number of puffs counted through puff sensor 1026 reaches a predetermined number, processor 1010 notifies the user that aerosol generator 100 will end soon through at least one of display unit 1032, haptic unit 1034, and acoustic output unit 1036.

[0164] One embodiment is also embodied in the form of a recording medium including computer-executable instructions such as program modules executed by a computer. A computer-readable medium is any available medium accessible by a computer and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Also, a computer-readable medium includes both computer storage media and communication media. A computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media embodied by any method or technology for the storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. A communication media typically includes modulated data signals such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data, or other transmission mechanisms, and includes any information delivery media.

[0165] 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 floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language code made by a compiler but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

[0166] The foregoing description of the embodiments is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that more various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention must be determined by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope equivalent to the content described in the claims must be construed as being included in the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A housing having a receiving space, a cartridge removably coupled to the receiving space of the housing and comprising a storage tank for storing an aerosol product substance and an atomizing unit for atomizing the aerosol product substance, a sensor disposed adjacent to the receiving space of the housing for detecting the capacitance of the storage tank, a cover disposed between the cartridge and the sensor for protecting the sensor, and a processor electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the processor detects the remaining amount of the aerosol product substance stored in the storage tank based on the capacitance of the storage tank detected through the sensor, and the sensor and the cover are integrally formed, an aerosol generating device.

2. The first side surface of the cover is disposed to face the sensor, and the second side surface facing in the opposite direction to the first side surface of the cover is disposed to face the receiving space. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

3. The second side surface of the cover is disposed to contact an area of the cartridge when the cartridge is received in the receiving space. The aerosol generating device according to claim 2.

4. The second side surface of the cover is formed in a shape corresponding to an area of the cartridge. The aerosol generating device according to claim 3.

5. The sensor is disposed in an area of the housing spaced apart by a specified distance from the receiving space. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

6. The cover is disposed to surround an area of the sensor facing the receiving space. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

7. The sensor is made of a metal material, and the cover is made of a plastic material. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

8. further comprising a coupling member for fixing the cartridge to the housing, and the cover further comprises a hole through which the coupling member passes. The aerosol generating device according to claim 6.

9. a battery disposed inside the housing, and a printed circuit board disposed inside the housing, wherein the processor is disposed on the printed circuit board. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1.

10. further comprising an electrical connection member for electrically connecting the sensor and the printed circuit board, The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein the processor is electrically connected to the sensor through the electrical connecting member.

11. The sensor further comprises a structural portion protruding in a direction opposite to the direction towards the accommodation space, The aerosol generating device according to claim 10, wherein one region of the structural portion contacts the sensor, and another region of the structural portion contacts the electrical connecting member.

12. The processor is The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein when the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage tank is equal to or greater than a specified value, power is supplied to the atomizing unit through the battery.

13. A method of operating an aerosol generating device, comprising: measuring, by a sensor, the capacitance of a storage tank in which an aerosol generating substance is stored; detecting the remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance based on the measured capacitance of the storage tank; controlling the power supplied to the atomizing unit based on the detected remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance, wherein the aerosol generating device includes a cartridge including a storage tank for storing the aerosol generating substance, and a cover disposed between the cartridge and the sensor to protect the sensor; A method of operating an aerosol generating device, wherein the sensor and the cover are integrally formed.

14. The method of operating an aerosol generating device according to claim 13, further comprising supplying power to the atomizing unit when the detected remaining amount of the aerosol generating substance is greater than a specified amount of the aerosol generating substance.

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