Aerosol device with impedance matching driver circuit - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

In one example, a drive circuit for supplying power to an oscillator includes one or more capacitors connected in parallel, an inductor connected to a first electrical contact, a switch having a drain terminal connected to the first electrical contact, a first power supply providing a voltage to a gate terminal of the switch, a second power supply providing a voltage to a second terminal of the inductor, and a resistor connected between the gate terminal of the switch and ground.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following embodiments relate to an apparatus for generating an aerosol, and more particularly to an impedance matching drive circuit for the aerosol generating apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, the demand for electronic cigarettes has been gradually increasing. In addition, as the demand for electronic cigarettes has increased, the functions related to electronic cigarettes have been continuously developed. In particular, the functions related to the types and characteristics of electronic cigarettes have been continuously developed. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] One embodiment is to provide an impedance matching drive circuit for an aerosol generating device.

[0004] One embodiment provides an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The driving circuit of one embodiment includes a first electrical contact that can be connected to a first end of a vibrator included in a cartridge and a second electrical contact that is connected to a second end of the vibrator, one or more capacitors connected in parallel to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact (a first end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the first electrical contact, and a second end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the second electrical contact), an inductor connected to the first electrical contact (a first end of the inductor is connected to the first electrical contact), a switch having a drain end connected to the first electrical contact (a source end of the switch is connected to ground), a first power supply that provides a voltage to a gate end of the switch, a second power supply that provides a voltage to a second end of the inductor, and a resistor connected between the gate end of the switch and ground.

[0006] The driving circuit may further include one or more matching inductors connected in parallel between the first electrical contact and a first end of the inductor, the first ends of the one or more matching inductors being connected to the first electrical contact and the second ends of the one or more matching inductors being connected to a drain end of the switch.

[0007] The driving circuit may further include a switch connected between the first end of the one or more capacitors and the first electrical contact, or between the second end of the one or more capacitors and the second electrical contact.

[0008] The drive circuit may further include a switch connected in parallel with the one or more matching inductors.

[0009] The first power supply can provide an AC voltage to the gate terminal of the switch.

[0010] The second power source can provide a DC voltage to the second end of the inductor and the first end of the vibrator.

[0011] The driving circuit may be included in an electronic cigarette.

[0012] A driving circuit of an electronic device according to one embodiment includes a first electrical contact connected to a first end of a vibrator included in the cartridge and a second electrical contact connected to a second end of the vibrator, one or more matching inductors connected to the first electrical contact (the first ends of the one or more matching inductors are connected to the first electrical contact, and the one or more matching inductors are respectively connected in parallel), an inductor connected to the second ends of the one or more matching inductors (the first end of the inductor is connected to the second ends of the one or more matching inductors), a switch having a drain end connected to the second ends of the one or more matching inductors (the source end of the switch is connected to ground), a first power supply that provides a voltage to a gate end of the switch, a second power supply that provides a voltage to the second end of the inductor, and a resistor connected between the gate end of the switch and ground.

[0013] According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a body portion configured to be coupled to a cartridge, the body portion including a drive circuit for driving a vibrator of the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the body portion, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the drive circuit, the drive circuit including: a first electrical contact connected to a first end of a vibrator included in the cartridge; a second electrical contact connected to a second end of the vibrator; one or more capacitors connected in parallel to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, respectively (a first end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the first electrical contact, and a second end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the second electrical contact); an inductor connected to the first electrical contact (a first end of the inductor is connected to the first electrical contact); a switch having a drain end connected to the first electrical contact (a source end of the switch is connected to ground); a first power supply that provides a voltage to a gate end of the switch; a second power supply that provides a voltage to a second end of the inductor; and a resistor connected between the gate end of the switch and ground.

[0014] an inductor connected to the second ends of the one or more matching inductors (the first ends of the one or more matching inductors are connected to the first electrical contact, and the one or more matching inductors are connected in parallel); a switch having a drain terminal connected to the first end of the one or more matching inductors (the source terminal of the switch is connected to ground); a first power supply providing a voltage to a gate terminal of the switch; a second power supply providing a voltage to a second end of the inductor; and a resistor connected between the gate terminal of the switch and ground. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to one embodiment, a drive circuit can be provided for driving a vibrator of an aerosol generating device.

[0016] According to one embodiment, an aerosol generating device for generating an aerosol can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment, with the cartridge and body portion separated. [Figure 4]1 is a perspective view of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment, in which a cartridge and a body part are joined together. FIG. [Figure 5A] 1 illustrates a drive circuit including a capacitor according to an embodiment. [Figure 5B] 1 illustrates a driver circuit including a matching inductor according to an embodiment. [Figure 5C] 1 illustrates a driver circuit including a capacitor and a matching inductor according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a full-bridge drive circuit according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates a drive circuit for switching between full-bridge mode and half-bridge mode according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an equivalent circuit of a drive circuit operating in half-bridge mode according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and may be modified in various forms. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited to the specific disclosed forms, and the scope of the present specification includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the technical spirit.

[0019] Although terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe multiple components, such terms should be construed only to distinguish one component from the other components. For example, a first component may be designated as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be designated as a first component.

[0020] When any component is referred to as being "coupled" to another component, it is directly coupled or connected to the other component, but it should be understood that there may be other components in between.

[0021] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, the words "comprise" or "have" and the like indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0022] In this document, phrases such as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B or C," "at least one of A, B and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" are to be understood as including A alone, B alone, C alone, all of A and B, all of A and C, all of B and C, or all of A, B, and C.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Commonly used predefined terms should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined herein.

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same elements, regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a control unit 110, a detection unit 120, an output unit 130, a battery 140, an atomization unit 150, a user input unit 160, a memory 170, and a communication unit 180. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 100 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1. That is, a person skilled in the art of this embodiment would understand that some of the components shown in Fig. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device 100.

[0027] The detection unit 120 detects the state of the aerosol generation device 100 or the state around the aerosol generation device 100, and transmits the detected information to the control unit 110. Based on the detected information, the control unit 110 can control the aerosol generation device 100 to perform various functions, such as controlling the operation of the atomization unit 150, restricting smoking, determining whether an aerosol-generating article (e.g., an aerosol-generating article, cartridge, etc.) is inserted, and displaying notifications.

[0028] The detection unit 120 includes at least one of a temperature sensor 122, an insertion detection unit 124, and a puff sensor 126, but is not limited to these.

[0029] The temperature sensor 122 detects the temperature of the atomizing unit 150 (or the aerosol-generating substance). The aerosol-generating device 100 may include a separate temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the atomizing unit 150, or the atomizing unit 150 itself may function as a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 122 may be disposed near the battery 140 so as to monitor the temperature of the battery 140.

[0030] The insertion detection sensor 124 detects the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article. For example, the insertion detection sensor 124 may include at least one of a film sensor, a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, a resistive sensor, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and an infrared sensor, and detects a signal change due to the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article.

[0031] The puff sensor 126 detects a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or channel, for example, the puff sensor 126 may detect a user's puff based on any one of a temperature change, a flow change, a voltage change, and a pressure change.

[0032] The detection unit 120 may further include at least one of a temperature / humidity sensor, an air pressure sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS), a proximity sensor, and an RGB (illuminance) sensor, in addition to the above-mentioned sensors 122 to 126. The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a person skilled in the art from its name, so a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0033] The output unit 130 outputs and provides to the user information regarding the status of the aerosol generating device 100. The output unit 130 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of a display unit 132, a haptic unit 134, and an audio output unit 136. When the display unit 132 and the touchpad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display unit 132 is used not only as an output device but also as an input device.

[0034] The display unit 132 visually provides a user with information about the aerosol generation device 100. For example, the information about the aerosol generation device 100 refers to various information such as the charge / discharge status of the battery 140 of the aerosol generation device 100, the status of the atomization unit 150, the insertion / removal status of an aerosol-generating article, or a status in which use of the aerosol generation device 100 is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal article), and the display unit 132 outputs the information to the outside. The display unit 132 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. The display unit 132 may also be in the form of an LED light-emitting element.

[0035] The haptic unit 134 converts an electrical signal into a mechanical or electrical stimulus to tactilely provide the user with information about the aerosol generating device 100. For example, the haptic unit 134 includes a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0036] The acoustic output unit 136 audibly provides the user with information relating to the aerosol generation device 100. For example, the acoustic output unit 136 may convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0037] The battery 140 can supply power used for operation of the aerosol generation device 100. The battery 140 supplies power to operate the atomization unit 150. The battery 140 also supplies power necessary for operation of other components provided in the aerosol generation device 100 (e.g., the detection unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180). The battery 140 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the battery 140 may be, but is not limited to, a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery.

[0038] The atomization unit 150 atomizes the aerosol-generating material by receiving power from the battery 140. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the aerosol generation device 100 may further include a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC / DC converter) that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies the converted power to the atomization unit 150. Furthermore, when the aerosol generation device 100 generates aerosol using an ultrasonic vibration method, the aerosol generation device 100 may further include a DC / AC converter that converts the DC power of the battery 140 into AC power.

[0039] The control unit 110, the detection unit 120, the output unit 130, the user input unit 160, the memory 170, and the communication unit 180 may function by receiving power from the battery 140. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , each unit may further include a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, that converts the power of the battery 140 and supplies it to each component.

[0040] In one embodiment, the atomization unit 150 includes a vibrator that generates ultrasonic vibrations in response to an applied signal (e.g., power). For example, the vibrator may be made of, but is not limited to, piezoelectric ceramic. The vibrator includes a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element according to one embodiment serves as a conversion element that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, and may generate ultrasonic vibrations under the control of the control unit 110. In one embodiment, when AC power is applied to a polarized piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element may repeatedly expand and contract. The repeated expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element causes the vibrator to vibrate at a characteristic frequency. When a signal is applied to the vibrator, short, high-frequency vibrations are generated, and the generated vibrations can break down the aerosol-generating substance into small particles and atomize them into aerosol.

[0041] The user input unit 160 may receive information input by a user or output information to a user. For example, the user input unit 160 may be, but is not limited to, a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., a contact-type capacitance type, a pressure-type resistive film type, an infrared detection type, a surface ultrasonic conduction type, an integral tension measurement type, a piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the aerosol generating device 100 may further include a connection interface such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be connected to another external device via the connection interface to transmit and receive information or charge the battery 140.

[0042] The memory 170 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generation device 100, and stores data that has been processed by the control unit 110 and data to be processed by the control unit 110. The memory 170 includes at least one type of storage medium: a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. The memory 170 can store data related to the operation time of the aerosol generation device 100, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and the user's smoking pattern.

[0043] The communication unit 180 includes at least one component for communicating with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 180 may include a short-range communication unit 182 and a wireless communication unit 184.

[0044] The short-range wireless communication unit 182 includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit, a Near Field Communication unit, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbee (registered trademark) communication unit, an IrDA (infrared Data Association) communication unit, a WFD (Wi-Fi Direct) communication unit, a UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, etc.

[0045] The wireless communication unit 184 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 184 can also identify and authenticate the aerosol generating device 100 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)).

[0046] The control unit 110 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 100. In one embodiment, the control unit 110 may include 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 storing a program executable by the microprocessor. The control unit 110 may also be implemented as other types of hardware, which would be understood by a person skilled in the art to which this embodiment pertains.

[0047] The control unit 110 controls the operation of the atomization unit 150 by controlling the supply of power from the battery 140 to the atomization unit 150. For example, the control unit 110 can control the power supply by controlling the switching of a switching element in the drive circuit 138 located between the battery 140 and the atomization unit 150.

[0048] The control unit 110 analyzes the results detected by the detection unit 120 and controls subsequent processing. For example, the control unit 110 controls the power supplied to the atomization unit 150 so that the operation of the atomization unit 150 starts or ends based on the results detected by the detection unit 120. As another example, the control unit 110 can control the amount of power supplied to the atomization unit 150 and the time for which the power is supplied based on the results detected by the detection unit 120 so that the atomization unit 150 vibrates at a predetermined frequency or maintains an appropriate vibration frequency.

[0049] The control unit 110 controls the output unit 130 based on the result detected by the detection unit 120. For example, when the number of puffs counted via the puff sensor 126 reaches a preset number, the control unit 110 may notify the user via at least one of the display unit 132, the haptic unit 134, and the audio output unit 136 that the aerosol generating device 100 will immediately shut down.

[0050] In one embodiment, the control unit 110 can control the duration and / or amount of power supply to the atomization unit 150 by controlling the drive circuit 138 depending on the state of the aerosol-generating article detected by the detection unit 120. For example, the control unit 110 can control the vibration frequency of the vibrator of the atomization unit 150 depending on the type or remaining amount of the aerosol-generating article.

[0051] An embodiment may also be embodied in the form of a recording medium containing computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by a computer. Computer-readable media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, including both volatile and nonvolatile media, and both detachable and non-detachable media. Computer-readable media may also include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and non-volatile, detachable and non-detachable media embodied in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, other data in a modulated data signal, such as a program module, or other transmission mechanism, and includes any information delivery media.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an example.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, an aerosol generating device 200 (eg, the aerosol generating device 100 shown in FIG. 1) includes a cartridge 220 that holds an aerosol generating substance and a body portion 210 that is connected to the cartridge 220.

[0054] The cartridge 220 of the aerosol generating device 200 can be coupled to the body portion 210 while containing an aerosol generating material therein. For example, the cartridge 220 and the body portion 210 are coupled together by inserting at least a portion of the cartridge 220 into the body portion 210. As a different example, the cartridge 220 and the body portion 210 are coupled together by inserting at least a portion of the body portion 210 into the cartridge 220.

[0055] The cartridge 220 and the body portion 210 may be connected by at least one of a snap-fit ​​method, a screw-fit method, a magnetic coupling method, or a force-fit method, but the method of connecting the cartridge 220 and the body portion 210 is not limited to the examples given above.

[0056] According to one embodiment, cartridge 220 includes a housing 222 , a mouthpiece 224 , a storage portion 230 , a transmission portion 230 , a vibrator 250 , and an electrical terminal 260 .

[0057] The housing 222 of the aerosol generating device 200, together with the mouthpiece 224, forms the overall appearance of the cartridge 220, and components for operating the cartridge 220 are arranged inside the housing 222. For example, the housing 222 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, but the shape of the housing 222 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. Depending on the embodiment, the housing 222 may be formed in the shape of a polygonal prism (e.g., a triangular prism or a pentagonal prism) or a cylinder.

[0058] The mouthpiece 224 of the aerosol generating device 200 is disposed in one region of the housing 222 and includes an outlet 224e for discharging the aerosol generated from the aerosol generating material to the outside. For example, the mouthpiece 224 is disposed in another region of the cartridge 220 located opposite to one region of the cartridge 220 that is coupled to the body portion 210, and the user can receive the aerosol from the cartridge 220 by contacting the mouthpiece 224 with the oral cavity and inhaling.

[0059] When the user inhales or puffs, a pressure difference occurs between the outside of cartridge 220 and the inside of cartridge 220, and the aerosol generated inside cartridge 220 due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of cartridge 220 is discharged to the outside of cartridge 220 through outlet 224e. That is, when the user inhales by contacting the mouthpiece 224 with the oral cavity, the aerosol can be supplied to the outside of cartridge 220 through outlet 224e.

[0060] The storage unit 230 of the aerosol generating device 200 is located in the internal space of the housing 222 and can store an aerosol-generating substance. In this disclosure, the expression "the storage unit stores an aerosol-generating substance" means that the storage unit 230 simply functions to hold the aerosol-generating substance, as in the case of a container, and also means that the storage unit 230 includes an element impregnated with (containing) the aerosol-generating substance, such as a sponge, cloth, or porous ceramic structure, inside the storage unit 230. The above expression will also be used hereinafter with the same meaning.

[0061] The storage unit 230 may contain an aerosol-generating substance in any one of a liquid state, a solid state, a gas state, a gel state, or the like.

[0062] In one embodiment, the aerosol-forming material comprises a liquid phase composition, which may be a liquid containing tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco flavor components, or a liquid containing non-tobacco material.

[0063] The liquid phase composition may be any one or a mixture of ingredients, such as water, solvent, ethanol, plant extracts, fragrances, flavorings, and vitamin blends. Flavorings may include, but are not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavorings, and the like.

[0064] The flavoring agent may include ingredients that provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may be, but is not limited to, a mixture of 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.

[0065] For example, the liquid phase composition may include a glycerin and propylene glycol solution with a nicotine salt added thereto in any weight ratio. The liquid phase composition may include two or more nicotine salts. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid, including an organic acid or an inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally occurring or synthetic nicotine, and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid phase composition.

[0066] The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected taking into consideration the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device 200, the flavor or taste, solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be, but is not limited to, a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharinic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group.

[0067] The transfer unit 240 of the aerosol generating device 200 can absorb the aerosol-generating material. For example, the aerosol-generating material stored or accommodated in the storage unit 230 can be transferred from the storage unit 230 to the vibrator 250 via the transfer unit 240, and the vibrator 250 can atomize the aerosol-generating material in the transfer unit 240 or the aerosol-generating material transferred from the transfer unit 240 to generate an aerosol. In this case, the transfer unit 240 may include at least one of cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, and porous ceramic, but the transfer unit 240 is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0068] According to one embodiment, transfer unit 240 is disposed adjacent to storage unit 230, and receives a liquid-phase aerosol-generating substance from storage unit 230. For example, the aerosol-generating substance stored in storage unit 230 is discharged to the outside of storage unit 230 through a liquid-phase supply port formed in a region of storage unit 230 facing transfer unit 240, and transfer unit 240 can absorb at least a portion of the aerosol-generating substance discharged from storage unit 230, thereby absorbing the aerosol-generating substance from storage unit 230.

[0069] According to one embodiment, cartridge 210 may further include an absorber (not shown) disposed to cover at least a portion of transducer 250, where the aerosol is generated, and which transmits the aerosol-generating substance absorbed by transmitter 240 to transducer 250. The absorber may be made of a material capable of absorbing the aerosol-generating substance. For example, the absorber may include at least one of SPL30(H), SPL50(H)V, NP100(V8), SPL60(FC), and melamine. By further including an absorber in cartridge 220, the aerosol-generating substance may be absorbed not only by transmitter 240 but also by the absorber, thereby improving the amount of aerosol-generating substance absorbed.

[0070] The vibrator 250 of the aerosol generating device 200 is located inside the housing 222 and can generate an aerosol by changing the phase of the aerosol generating material stored inside the cartridge 220. For example, the vibrator 250 can generate an aerosol by heating or vibrating the aerosol generating material.

[0071] Furthermore, since the absorber is disposed to cover at least a portion of the vibrator 250, the absorber acts as a physical barrier to prevent "splash," which occurs when particles that are not sufficiently atomized during the aerosol generation process are immediately discharged outside the aerosol generation device 200. Here, "splash" refers to a phenomenon in which relatively large particles of the aerosol-generating material that are not sufficiently atomized are discharged outside the cartridge 220. If the cartridge 220 according to one embodiment further includes an absorber, the occurrence of splashing is reduced, improving the user's smoking satisfaction.

[0072] In one embodiment, the absorber is located between one surface of the oscillator 250 where the aerosol is generated and the transmitter 240, and can transmit the aerosol supplied to the transmitter 240 to the oscillator 250. For example, one region of the absorber may be in contact with one region of the transmitter 240 facing the -z direction, and another region of the absorber may be in contact with one region of the oscillator 250 facing the +z direction. That is, the absorber is located on the upper end surface (e.g., in the +z direction) of the oscillator 250, and can supply the aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the transmitter 240 to the oscillator 250.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the vibrator 250 of the aerosol generating device 200 may convert the phase of the aerosol-generating substance by using an ultrasonic vibration method that atomizes the aerosol-generating substance using ultrasonic vibration. For example, the vibrator 250 may generate short-period vibrations, and the vibrations generated by the vibrator 250 may be ultrasonic vibrations. The frequency of the ultrasonic vibrations is within the range of about 100 kHz to about 10 MHz (preferably, about 100 kHz to 3.5 MHz), but is not limited thereto. When the vibrator generates ultrasonic vibrations in the above-mentioned frequency band, the vibrator vibrates along the longitudinal direction (e.g., the z-axis direction) of the cartridge 220 or the housing 222. However, the embodiment is not limited by the direction in which the vibrator vibrates, and the direction in which the vibrator vibrates may be changed to various directions (e.g., any one of the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction, or a combination thereof). The aerosol-generating substance supplied to the vibrator 250 from the storage unit 230 can be vaporized and / or atomized by the short-period vibration generated by the vibrator 250 and atomized into an aerosol.

[0074] For example, vibrator 250 may include a piezoelectric ceramic, which may be a functional material capable of converting between electrical and mechanical forces by generating electrical power (voltage) when a physical force (pressure) is applied and, conversely, generating vibrations (mechanical force) when electrical power is applied. That is, when electrical power is applied to vibrator 250, short-period vibrations (physical force) are generated, and the generated vibrations can break the aerosol-generating substance into small particles and atomize them into an aerosol.

[0075] The vibrator 250 is electrically connected to other components of the aerosol generation device 200 via an electrical terminal 260. The electrical terminal 260 may be arranged on one surface of the cartridge 220. For example, the electrical terminal 260 may be arranged on a coupling surface of the cartridge 220 where the cartridge 220 couples with the body portion 210 of the aerosol generation device 20. The electrical terminal 260 may be arranged on one surface of the housing 222 facing the mouthpiece 224.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to at least one of the drive circuit 212, the control unit 214, and the battery 216 of the body portion 210 via electrical terminals 260 located inside the housing 222 of the cartridge 220.

[0077] For example, the vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to an electrical terminal 260 located inside the cartridge 220 via a first conductor, and the electrical terminal 260 may be electrically connected to the driving circuit 212 of the body part 210 via a second conductor. That is, the vibrator 250 may be electrically connected to the components of the body part 210 via the electrical terminal 260.

[0078] The vibrator 250 is capable of generating ultrasonic vibrations by receiving power from the battery 216 in the body part 210 via the electrical terminal 260. The vibrator 250 is also electrically connected to the control unit 214 in the body part 210 via the electrical terminal 260, and the control unit 214 can control the operation of the vibrator 250 via the drive circuit 212.

[0079] For example, the electrical terminal 260 may include at least one of a pogo pin, a wire, a cable, a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and a C-clip, but the electrical terminal 260 is not limited to the above examples.

[0080] In one embodiment, the vibrator 250 may be realized as a mesh-shaped or plate-shaped vibration container that does not use a separate transmission unit 240 and performs both the function of absorbing the aerosol-generating material and maintaining it in an optimal state for converting it into an aerosol, and the function of transmitting vibrations to the aerosol-generating material to generate an aerosol.

[0081] The aerosol generated by the vibrator 250 can be discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 via the airflow passage 223 and supplied to the user.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the airflow passage 223 may be located inside the cartridge 220 and connected to the vibrator 250 and the outlet 224e of the mouthpiece 224. Therefore, the aerosol generated by the vibrator 250 flows along the airflow passage 223 and is discharged to the outside of the cartridge 220 or the aerosol generation device 200 through the outlet 224e. The user may receive the aerosol by contacting the mouthpiece 224 with the oral cavity and inhaling the aerosol discharged from the outlet 224e.

[0083] Although not shown in the drawings, the airflow passage 223 may include at least one inlet through which air from outside the cartridge 220 flows into the interior of the cartridge 220. The inlet is disposed in at least a portion of the housing 222 of the cartridge 220. For example, the inlet may be disposed in a joining surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the cartridge 220 where the cartridge 220 and the body portion 210 are joined.

[0084] At least one gap may be formed where the cartridge 220 and the body part 210 are joined, allowing external air to flow in through the gap between the cartridge 220 and the body part 210 and move into the cartridge 220 through the inlet.

[0085] The airflow passage 223 is connected at its inlet to a space where aerosol is generated by the vibrator 250, and is connected at the corresponding space to the outlet 224e.

[0086] Therefore, air flowing in through the inlet is transmitted to the vibrator 250, and the transmitted air moves to the outlet 224e together with the aerosol generated by the vibrator 250, allowing airflow to circulate inside the cartridge 220.

[0087] According to one example, at least a portion of airflow passage 223 may be arranged such that its outer circumferential surface is surrounded by storage portion 230 inside housing 222. According to another example, at least a portion of airflow passage 223 may be arranged between an inner wall of housing 222 and an outer wall of storage portion 230. The arrangement structure of airflow passage 223 is not limited to the above example, and airflow passage 223 may be arranged in various structures that circulate airflow between the inlet, vibrator 250, and outlet 224e.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the body portion 210 includes a drive circuit 212, a control unit 214, and a battery 216 therein, and one end of the body portion 210 can be coupled to one end of the cartridge 220. For example, the body portion 210 may be coupled to the bottom surface or coupling surface of the cartridge 220.

[0089] When the vibrator 250 of the cartridge 220 is electrically connected to the drive circuit 212 via the electrical terminal 260, the drive circuit 212 supplies power to the vibrator 250. For example, the amount of power supplied to the vibrator 250 may be determined by the control unit 214. The vibration frequency of the vibrator 250 is controlled according to the amount of power. The form of the drive circuit 212 according to one embodiment may be a class E power amplifier circuit, a half-bridge circuit, or a full-bridge circuit, and is not limited to the described embodiment.

[0090] The control unit 214 controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device 200. For example, the control unit 214 can control the power supplied from the battery 216 to the vibrator 250 and control the amount of aerosol generated by the vibrator 250. For example, the control unit 214 may control the power supplied to the vibrator so that the vibrator 250 can vibrate at a predetermined frequency.

[0091] The control unit 214 may be realized by an array of multiple logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executed by the microprocessor. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the control unit 214 may also be realized by other forms of hardware.

[0092] The control unit 214 analyzes the results detected by at least one sensor included in the aerosol generating device 200 and controls the processes that are subsequently executed. For example, the control unit 214 can control the power supplied to the vibrator 250 so as to start or end the operation of the vibrator 250 based on the results detected by the at least one sensor. Furthermore, the control unit 214 can control the amount of power supplied to the vibrator 250 and the time for which the power is supplied so that the vibrator 250 generates an appropriate amount of aerosol based on the results detected by the at least one sensor.

[0093] The battery 216 provides power used to operate the aerosol generating device 200. For example, the battery 216 can provide power to the vibrator 250 when the body portion 210 is electrically coupled to the cartridge 220.

[0094] The battery 216 provides the power necessary for the operation of other hardware elements (e.g., sensors, a user interface, memory, and the control unit 214) included in the aerosol generating device 200. The battery 216 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery.

[0095] For example, battery 216 may include a nickel-based battery (e.g., a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel-cadmium battery) or a lithium-based battery (e.g., a lithium-cobalt battery, a lithium-phosphate battery, a lithium-titanium acid battery, a lithium-ion battery, or a lithium-polymer battery).

[0096] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge 220 and / or the body portion 210 of the aerosol generation device 200 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction may be a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, or any of various polygonal shapes. However, the cross-sectional shape of the cartridge 220 and / or the body portion 210 is not limited to the above-mentioned shapes, and does not necessarily have to be formed from a structure that extends linearly when the aerosol generation device 200 extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0097] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 200 may be curved in a streamlined manner to make it easier for a user to grip, or may be bent at a predetermined angle in specific areas to extend the length, and the cross-sectional shape of the aerosol generating device 200 may vary along the longitudinal direction.

[0098] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating device in which the cartridge and the body part are separated, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of an aerosol generating device in which the cartridge and the body part are joined together.

[0099] The aerosol generating device 300 relating to the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 is a modified example of the aerosol generating device 200 shown in Figure 2 (or the aerosol generating device 100 in Figure 1), and the cartridge 220-1 and body part 210-1 relating to the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4 are modified examples of the cartridge 220 and body part 210 shown in Figure 2, respectively, and duplicate content will be omitted below.

[0100] 3 and 4, the cartridge 220-1 may be detachably coupled to the body portion 210-1. For example, at least a portion of the cartridge 220-1 may be coupled to the body portion 210-1 by being inserted into the body portion 210-1.

[0101] The cartridge 220-1 includes a mouthpiece 10m that is movable between an open position and a closed position, for example, the mouthpiece 10m is opened and closed by rotating between the open position and the closed position.

[0102] The body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 may be coupled to the mouthpiece 10m via a rotation axis. As an example, the mouthpiece 10m may be positioned in an open position. The open state of the mouthpiece 10m refers to a state in which the mouthpiece 10m is expanded in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 220-1 to make it easier for the user to contact the mouthpiece 10m. Here, the longitudinal direction refers to the direction in which the cartridge 220-1 extends the longest among various directions. As another example, the mouthpiece 10m may be positioned in a closed position. The closed state of the mouthpiece 10m refers to a state in which the mouthpiece 10m is folded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 220-1 so as to be accommodated in the body portion 210-1 of the aerosol generation device 300.

[0103] Cartridge 220-1 includes a body portion 10b that includes multiple components necessary for generating and discharging the aerosol, such as a housing, a vibrator, and at least a portion of an airflow passage.

[0104] The body portion 210-1 includes a coupling portion 20a to which the cartridge 220-1 can be coupled. For example, the body portion 210-1 includes a receiving groove 20a-1 in which at least a portion of the cartridge 220-1 is received. The body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 may be inserted into the receiving groove 20a-1. For example, the body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 may be in the form of a substantially rectangular pillar, and the corners of the rectangular pillar may be chamfered or rounded. However, the shape of the body portion 10b of the cartridge 220-1 is not limited to the above example, and may also be in the form of a circular cylinder or a polygonal pillar.

[0105] 2, the cartridge 220-1 may be coupled to the body part 210-1 by at least one of a snap-fit ​​method, a screw-fit method, a magnetic coupling method, and a force-fit method. For example, the cartridge 220-1 includes a first magnetic body, and the body part 210-1 includes a second magnetic body, and the cartridge 220-1 and the body part 210-1 are coupled to each other by magnetic force. However, the strength of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body may be designed in consideration of ease of attachment / detachment of the cartridge 220-1 and the body part 210-1 and / or operational stability of the aerosol generation device 300.

[0106] The body part 210-1 includes a button 20b. The button 20b is arranged on one surface of the body part 210-1. For example, the button 20b may be arranged on one surface of the body part 210-1 corresponding to one end 20c-1 of the cover 20c. When using the aerosol generation device 300, a user can use the button 20b to operate the aerosol generation device 300.

[0107] The body portion 210-1 may further include a storage portion 20s that can store the mouthpiece 10m of the cartridge 220-1 when the mouthpiece 10m is moved to the closed position. The storage portion 20s is located on one side of the body portion 210-1 and has a shape or size corresponding to the mouthpiece 10m.

[0108] As shown in Figure 4, when the mouthpiece 10m is moved to the closed position, the portion that protrudes outside the aerosol generating device 1 in the closed position, i.e., the portion that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the body portion 210-1, is minimized, thereby improving portability.

[0109] In one embodiment, the body portion 210-1 further includes a cover 20c coupled to a portion of the body portion 210-1. The cover 20c may be coupled to at least one surface of the body portion 210-1. For example, the cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the body portion 210-1 where the coupling portion 20a is located. Alternatively, the cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the body portion 210-1 where the storage portion 20s is located.

[0110] The cover 20c includes an opening 20c-o. The cover 20c has the opening 20c-o of a size corresponding to the mouthpiece 10m. For example, the opening 20c-o has a predetermined length and width. Here, the width of the opening 20c-o may be smaller than or the same as that of the body portion of the cartridge 220-1 and larger than or the same as that of the mouthpiece 10m. The length of the opening 20c-o may be longer than or the same as that of the mouthpiece 10m.

[0111] The cover 20c extends from one end 20c-1 to the other end 20c-2 and is placed on the mounting portion 20c' of the body portion 210-1. For example, the mounting portion 20c' has a size and shape corresponding to the cover 20c. The mounting portion 20c' is a recessed portion having a predetermined depth, extending in both directions from the entrance side of the coupling portion 20a and the storage portion 20s as the center so that the cover 20c can be coupled.

[0112] When the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body part 210-1, the cover 20c may be coupled to the body part 210-1 after the cartridge 220-1 is coupled to the body part 210-1. The cover 20c may be coupled to one side of the body part 210-1 by at least one of a snap fit, a force fit, or a magnetic coupling, but is not limited thereto.

[0113] The cover 20c includes an opening 20c-o through which the mouthpiece 10m can pass, and therefore protects the cartridge 220-1 while not interfering with the opening and closing operation of the mouthpiece 10m when the cartridge 220-1 is connected to the body portion 210-1, and can maintain the connection between the cartridge 220-1 and the body portion 210-1.

[0114] 4 illustrates the aerosol generation device 300 in which the cartridge 220-1 and the cover 20c are all coupled to the body 210-1, and the mouthpiece 10m is in the closed position. As illustrated, the body 210-1 includes a storage section 20s having a size and shape corresponding to the mouthpiece 10m and a mounting section 20c' having a size and shape corresponding to the cover 20c, and the cover 20c includes an opening 20c-o having a size and shape corresponding to the mouthpiece 10m, thereby providing a strong and elegant overall finish to the aerosol generation device 300.

[0115] When cartridge 220-1 is separated from body part 210-1, cover 20c may be separated from body part 210-1 first, and then cartridge 220-1 may be separated from body part 210-1. In this manner, cover 20c and cartridge 220-1 may be separated from body part 210-1 in that order, or may be coupled to body part 210-1 in that order.

[0116] FIG. 5A illustrates a drive circuit including a capacitor according to one embodiment.

[0117] 5A, a vibrator C510 (e.g., the atomizing unit 150 in FIG. 1 or the vibrator 250 in FIG. 2) according to one embodiment may be included in a cartridge 500-1 (e.g., the cartridge 220 in FIG. 2), and when the cartridge 220 is mechanically coupled to the body unit 210, the vibrator 510 is electrically connected to a first electrical contact 511 and a second electrical contact 513 of a drive circuit 500 (e.g., the drive circuit 138 in FIG. 1 or the drive circuit 212 in FIG. 2). When the first electrical contact 511 and the second electrical contact 513 are connected via the vibrator 510, the control unit 214 recognizes the coupling of the vibrator 510 and can supply power to the drive circuit 500.

[0118] More specifically, the driving circuit 500 of one embodiment is connected to a first end of the vibrator 510 via a first electrical contact 511 and to a second end of the vibrator 510 via a second electrical contact 513.

[0119] The cartridge 500-1 according to one embodiment includes a transducer C510, and when the cartridge 500-1 is mechanically coupled to the body portion 210, the cartridge 500-1 may be electrically connected to the drive circuit 500.

[0120] In one embodiment, the inductor (L1) 515-1 is connected between the first electrical contact 511 and the second power supply 517. A first end of the inductor (L1) 515-1 is connected to the first electrical contact 511, and a second end of the inductor (L1) 515-1 is connected to the second power supply 517.

[0121] In one embodiment, the drain terminal of the switch 514 is connected to the first electrical contact 511, and the source terminal is connected to ground. In one embodiment, the switch 514 may be a field effect transistor (FET) based switch.

[0122] The first power supply 516 according to one embodiment provides a voltage to the gate terminal of the switch 514. The first power supply 516 according to one embodiment can provide an AC voltage to the gate terminal of the switch 514. For example, the peak value of the AC voltage may be 4 V or less, and is not limited to the described embodiment.

[0123] In one embodiment, the second power supply 517 provides a voltage to the second end of the inductor (L1) 515-1. A DC voltage can be provided to the drain end of the switch 514 and the first end (e.g., the first electrical contact) of the vibrator 510. For example, the DC voltage is 15 V or less (e.g., 10 V), but is not limited to the described embodiment.

[0124] In one embodiment, a first resistor 518 is connected between the gate terminal of the switch 514 and ground.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the vibrator 510 included in the cartridge has a natural frequency, which may vary depending on the physical characteristics of the vibrator 510. The closer the frequency of the signal supplied to the vibrator 510 is to the natural frequency, the stronger the resonance (or sympathetic vibration) that can occur. That is, when the vibrator 510 is supplied with power via the drive circuit 500, the strongest resonance can occur when the vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 matches the natural frequency of the vibrator 510. The vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 that matches the natural frequency of the vibrator 510 is referred to as the resonant frequency or characteristic frequency. The vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 is the same as the frequency of the signal applied to both ends of the vibrator 510.

[0126] The driving circuit 500 according to one embodiment may further include a capacitor (C1) 510-1. A first end of the capacitor (C1) 510-1 is connected to the first electrical contact 511, and a second end of the capacitor (C1) 510-1 is connected to the second electrical contact 513. The capacitor (C1) 510-1 of the driving circuit 500 may be a variable capacitor, and the capacitance value of the capacitor (C1) 510-1 may be set so that the vibration frequency matches the natural frequency of the vibrator 510.

[0127] If the capacitor (C1) 510-1 of the driving circuit 500 is not a variable capacitor, one or more additional capacitors may be connected to the capacitor (C1) 510-1 to achieve a desired capacitance. Each of the one or more capacitors may be connected in parallel with the vibrator 510 together with the capacitor (C1) 510-1. For example, referring to FIG. 5A , one or more capacitors may be connected in parallel with the capacitor (C1) 510-1 and included in the driving circuit 500. However, the connection method between the one or more capacitors and the number of connected capacitors may vary according to an embodiment.

[0128] According to one embodiment, one or more capacitors may be connected in series with a switch (not shown). For example, a first end of capacitor 510-1 may be connected to first electrical contact 511, a second end of capacitor 510-1 may be connected to one end of a switch, and the other end of the switch may be connected to second electrical contact 513. By turning a switch on / off, the presence or absence of a parallel connection between the capacitor connected in series with the corresponding switch and vibrator 510 is adjusted.

[0129] The driving circuit 500 according to an embodiment can generate vibration of the vibrator 510 using a lower switch applied voltage than a conventional boost converter type driving circuit. For example, a conventional boost converter type driving circuit requires a switch applied voltage of 17 V to apply a high voltage to the vibrator, but the driving circuit 500 according to an embodiment can apply the same voltage to the vibrator 510 using only a switch applied voltage of 10 V. In other words, the driving circuit 500 according to an embodiment is more advantageous for aerosol generation.

[0130] The voltage applied to the switch of the drive circuit 500 is a voltage (e.g., 10 V) directly applied to the drain of the switch, so a switch that can withstand high voltages is not required. Here, the drive circuit 500 according to one embodiment can use a switch with low Rds(on) resistance, thereby solving problems such as component heat generation.

[0131] FIG. 5B illustrates a driver circuit including a matching inductor according to one embodiment.

[0132] For convenience of explanation, the description with reference to Fig. 5A also applies to the description with reference to Fig. 5B, and overlapping content may be omitted. The difference between the driving circuit 500 of Fig. 5A and the driving circuit 501 of Fig. 5B is whether or not a capacitor 510-1 and a matching inductor 515-2 are present, but the roles and functions of the remaining components 511 to 515-1 and 516 to 518 are the same.

[0133] The drive circuit 501 according to an embodiment may further include a matching inductor (L2) 515-2. A first end of the matching inductor (L2) 515-2 may be connected to the first electrical contact 511, and a second end of the matching inductor (L2) 515-2 may be connected to the first end of the inductor 515-1. The matching inductor (L2) 515-2 of the drive circuit 501 may be a variable inductor, and the inductance value of the matching inductor (L2) 515-2 may be set so that the vibration frequency can resonate with the natural frequency of the vibrator 510.

[0134] If the matching inductor (L2) 515-2 of the driving circuit 501 is not a variable inductor, one or more additional matching inductors may be connected to the matching inductor (L2) 515-2 to achieve a desired inductance value. Each of the one or more matching inductors may be connected in parallel with the matching inductor (L2) 515-2. However, the connection method between the one or more matching inductors and the number of connected matching inductors may vary according to an embodiment.

[0135] According to one embodiment, one or more matching inductors may be connected in parallel with a switch (not shown). For example, a first end of matching inductor 515-2 may be connected to one end of the switch, and the other end of the switch may be connected to a second end of matching inductor 515-2. Turning a switch on / off adjusts whether or not a series connection exists between the matching inductor connected in series with the corresponding switch and the vibrator 510. When a switch connected in parallel with an inductor is turned on, most of the current in the drive circuit flows through the switch, and no current flows in the inductor direction. When the switch is turned off, most of the current in the drive circuit flows through the inductor, and no current flows in the switch direction, allowing the inductor to operate.

[0136] FIG. 5C illustrates a driver circuit including a matching inductor and capacitor according to one embodiment.

[0137] The description with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B also applies to the description with reference to FIG. 5C, and overlapping content may be omitted.

[0138] In one embodiment, the driver circuit 502 of FIG. 5C may include both the capacitor 510-1 of the driver circuit 500 of FIG. 5A and the matching inductor 515-2 of the driver circuit 501 of FIG. 5B.

[0139] In one embodiment, by connecting one or more capacitors 510-1 in parallel to the vibrator 510 and connecting one or more matching inductors 515-2 in series to the vibrator 510, the vibration frequency of the drive circuit 502 can be controlled to match the natural frequency of the vibrator 510.

[0140] FIG. 6 shows a full-bridge drive circuit according to one embodiment.

[0141] Hereinafter, when two elements are "connectable," it means that the components are connected to each other when a detachable part of an aerosol generating device containing one element (e.g., a cartridge) is coupled to another detachable part of an aerosol generating device containing the other element (i.e., the main body).

[0142] In order to supply power to a vibrator 510 (for example, the atomization unit 150 in FIG. 1 or the vibrator 250 in FIG. 2), a driving circuit 500 according to one embodiment (for example, the driving circuit 138 in FIG. 1 or the driving circuit 212 in FIG. 2) includes: a first electrical contact 511 connected to a first end of the vibrator 510; a second electrical contact 513 connected to a second end of the vibrator 510; one or more capacitors (for example, a first capacitor 515 and a second capacitor 517) connected in parallel to the first electrical contact 511 and the second electrical contact 513, respectively (a first end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the first electrical contact 511, and a second end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the second electrical contact 513); an inductor 520 (for example, a coil) connected to the first electrical contact 511 (a first end of the inductor 520 is connected to the first electrical contact 511); 20, a second switch (SW2) 533 having a drain terminal connected to the second end of inductor 520 (the source terminal of the second switch 533 is connected to ground), a third switch (SW3) 535 having a source terminal connected to the second electrical contact 513, a fourth switch 537 having a drain terminal connected to the second electrical contact 513 (the source terminal of the fourth switch 537 is connected to ground), a first power supply 501 providing a voltage to the drain terminal of the first switch 531 and the drain terminal of the third switch 535, a second power supply (V2) 503 providing a voltage to the gate terminal of the first switch 531 and the gate terminal of the fourth switch 537, and a third power supply (V3) 505 providing a voltage to the gate terminal of the second switch 533 and the gate terminal of the third switch 535. For example, the first switch 531, the second switch 533, the third switch 535, and the fourth switch 537 may each be a switch based on a field effect transistor (FET).

[0143] According to one embodiment, the vibrator 510 may be included in the cartridge, and when the cartridge is mechanically coupled to the body portion, the vibrator 510 is electrically connected to a first electrical contact 511 and a second electrical contact 513 of the drive circuit 500 included in the body portion. When the first electrical contact 511 and the second electrical contact 513 are connected via the vibrator 510, the control unit 214 recognizes the coupling of the vibrator 510 and can supply power to the vibrator 510 via the drive circuit 500.

[0144] According to one embodiment, one or more capacitors may be included in the body portion (e.g., drive circuit 500). When the cartridge is mechanically coupled to the body portion, the one or more capacitors may be connected in parallel with the vibrator 510 by electrically connecting the vibrator 510 to a first electrical contact 511 and a second electrical contact 513 of the drive circuit 500. For example, referring to FIG. 5 , the one or more capacitors include a first capacitor 515 and a second capacitor 517. This is merely exemplary, and the number of capacitors connected in parallel with the vibrator 510 is not limited herein.

[0145] According to one embodiment, the vibrator 510 included in the cartridge has a natural frequency that varies depending on the physical characteristics of the vibrator 510. The closer the frequency of the signal supplied to the vibrator 510 is to the natural frequency, the stronger the resonance. That is, when power is supplied to the vibrator 510 via the drive circuit 500, the strongest resonance occurs when the vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 matches the natural frequency of the vibrator 510. Here, the vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 may be expressed as a resonant frequency or a characteristic frequency. The vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 indicates the frequency of a signal (e.g., voltage) applied to both ends of the vibrator 510. Since the natural frequency of the vibrator 510 varies depending on the physical characteristics of the vibrator 510, the vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 after the vibrator 510 is electrically connected may change. In other words, while the vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 is fixed, the strength of the resonance of the vibrator 510 may vary depending on the natural frequency of the vibrator 510 of the cartridge to which it is coupled.

[0146] According to one embodiment, one or more capacitors are connected in parallel to the vibrator 510 to adjust the vibration frequency of the drive circuit 500 to match the natural frequency of the vibrator 510. This can increase the vibration efficiency of the vibrator 510 and prevent overheating when resonance occurs.

[0147] According to one embodiment, one or more capacitors may each be connected in series with a switch (not shown). For example, a first end of a first capacitor 515 may be connected to a first electrical contact 511, a second end of the first capacitor 515 may be connected to an end of a switch, and the other end of the switch may be connected to a second electrical contact 513. By turning a switch on / off, whether or not a parallel connection is established between the capacitor connected in series with the corresponding switch and the vibrator 510 is controlled.

[0148] The first power supply 501 according to one embodiment can provide a DC voltage to the drain terminal of the first switch 531 and the drain terminal of the third switch 535. For example, the DC voltage may be 15 V or less (e.g., 10 V), but is not limited to the described embodiment.

[0149] In one embodiment, the second power supply 503 provides a first AC voltage to the gate terminal of the first switch 531 and the gate terminal of the fourth switch 537, and the third power supply 505 provides a second AC voltage to the gate terminal of the second switch 533 and the gate terminal of the third switch 535. For example, the peak value of the first AC voltage and the peak value of the second AC voltage may each be 4 V or less, and are not limited to the described embodiment.

[0150] In one embodiment, the second power supply and the third power supply may operate alternately. That is, the second power supply and the third power supply may not operate simultaneously. The voltage between the first end and the second end of the vibrator 510 provided by the driving circuit 500 may be 100 V or more, but is not limited to the described embodiment.

[0151] When using the drive circuit 500, a lower voltage (for example, 10 V) can be applied to the switch than when using a boost converter type drive circuit, and a high voltage can be generated for the vibration of the vibrator 510.

[0152] The voltage applied to the switch of the drive circuit 500 is a voltage (e.g., 10 V) directly applied to the drain of the switch, so a switch that can withstand high voltage is not required. Therefore, a switch with low Rds(on) resistance is used in the drive circuit 500, which can solve problems such as component overheating.

[0153] FIG. 7 shows a drive circuit for switching between full-bridge mode and half-bridge mode according to an example.

[0154] According to one embodiment, compared to the drive circuit 500 shown in FIG. 5 , the drive circuit 600 may further include a fifth switch 638 connected to the second electrical contact 613 and a sixth switch 639 located between the drain terminal of the third switch 635 and the first power supply 601 (the source terminal of the sixth switch 639 is connected to the drain terminal of the third switch 635, and the drain terminal of the sixth switch 639 is connected to the first power supply 601). For example, a first control signal provided to the gate terminal of the fifth switch 638 and a second control signal provided to the gate of the sixth switch 639 may be different from each other, and the first control signal and the second control signal may be provided by the controller 214. When the first control signal is low and the second control signal is high, the drive circuit 600 operates in a full-bridge mode. Conversely, when the first control signal is high and the second control signal is low, the drive circuit 600 operates in a half-bridge mode. FIG. 8 shows an equivalent circuit 700 of the drive circuit 600 operating in a half-bridge mode.

[0155] According to one embodiment, the driver circuit 600 may further include one or more capacitors (e.g., a first capacitor 615 and a second capacitor 617). The one or more capacitors may be disposed in the driver circuit 600 such that they are connected in parallel with the cartridge vibrator 610 when the vibrator 610 is connected to the driver circuit 600.

[0156] FIG. 8 shows an equivalent circuit of a drive circuit operating in half-bridge mode according to an example.

[0157] According to one embodiment, when the second power source 603 and the third power source 605 are alternately operated, the direction of the current flowing through the vibrator 610 may change.

[0158] In the half-bridge mode, the maximum voltage applied to the vibration unit 610 is reduced compared to the full-bridge mode, and the total power consumed by the driving circuit 600 is also reduced.

[0159] Therefore, when the aerosol generating device 200 must generate a relatively small amount of aerosol, the half-bridge mode can be used.

[0160] The operation modes of the drive circuit described above with reference to Figures 7 and 8 have been described as examples, and drive circuits according to other embodiments may operate in full-bridge mode, half-bridge mode, or other operation modes in which the number of switches is two or less, and the embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0161] The above-described embodiments may be implemented using hardware components, software components, or a combination of hardware and software components. For example, the devices and components described herein may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a processor, controller, arithmetic logic unit (ALU), digital signal processor, microcomputer, field programmable array (FPA), programmable logic unit (PLU), microprocessor, or other device that executes and responds to instructions. The processing device executes an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the operating system. The processing device also accesses, stores, manipulates, processes, and generates data in response to the execution of the software. For ease of understanding, a single processing device may be described; however, those skilled in the art will recognize that a processing device may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing device may include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also possible.

[0162] Software includes computer programs, codes, instructions, or a combination of one or more thereof, which can configure a processing device to operate as desired or can independently or in combination instruct the processing device. The software and / or data can be permanently or temporarily embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual device, computer storage medium or device, or transmitted signal wave to be interpreted by the processing device or to provide instructions or data to the processing device. The software can be distributed across computer systems coupled to a network and stored and executed in a distributed manner. The software and data can be stored on one or more computer-readable recording media.

[0163] The method according to the present invention may be embodied in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium may store program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The recording medium and program instructions may be specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or may be well-known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical 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, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language code, such as that generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that is executed by a computer using an interpreter, for example.

[0164] The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations described in the present invention, and vice versa.

[0165] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to limited drawings, those skilled in the art may apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a different manner than described, and may be replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents, while still achieving suitable results.

[0166] Accordingly, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are intended to fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A drive circuit, a first electrical contact that can be connected to a first end of a vibrator included in the cartridge and a second electrical contact that can be connected to a second end of the vibrator; one or more capacitors connected in parallel to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, wherein a first end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the first electrical contact and a second end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the second electrical contact; an inductor connected to the first electrical contact, a first end of the inductor connected to the first electrical contact; a switch having a drain terminal connected to the first electrical contact, the source terminal of the switch being connected to ground; a first power supply that provides a voltage to a gate terminal of the switch; a second power supply providing a voltage to a second end of the inductor; a resistor connected between the gate terminal of the switch and ground; a switch connected between the first end of the one or more capacitors and the first electrical contact, or between the second end of the one or more capacitors and the second electrical contact; a drive circuit including:

2. 2. The drive circuit of claim 1, further comprising one or more matching inductors connected in parallel between the first electrical contact and a first end of the inductor, wherein a first end of the one or more matching inductors is connected to the first electrical contact and a second end of the one or more matching inductors is connected to a drain end of the switch.

3. The drive circuit of claim 2 , further comprising a switch connected in parallel with the one or more matching inductors.

4. The drive circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first power supply provides an AC voltage to a gate terminal of the switch.

5. The drive circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second power supply provides a DC voltage to the second end of the inductor and the first end of the vibrator.

6. The drive circuit of claim 1 , wherein the drive circuit is included in an electronic cigarette.

7. A driving circuit for an electronic device, comprising: a first electrical contact connected to a first end of a vibrator included in the cartridge and a second electrical contact connected to a second end of the vibrator; one or more matching inductors connected to the first electrical contact, wherein first ends of the one or more matching inductors are connected to the first electrical contact and the one or more matching inductors are connected in parallel with each other; an inductor connected to the second ends of the one or more matching inductors, the first end of the inductor being connected to the second ends of the one or more matching inductors; a switch having a drain terminal connected to the second terminal of the one or more matching inductors, the source terminal of the switch being connected to ground; a first power supply that provides a voltage to a gate terminal of the switch; a second power supply providing a voltage to a second end of the inductor; a resistor connected between the gate terminal of the switch and ground; a switch connected in parallel with the one or more matching inductors; a drive circuit including:

8. 1. An electronic device comprising: the electronic device includes a body portion configured to couple to a cartridge; The body portion is a drive circuit for driving a vibrator of the cartridge when the cartridge is connected to the body portion; a control unit that controls the operation of the drive circuit; Including, The drive circuit a first electrical contact connected to a first end of a vibrator included in the cartridge and a second electrical contact connected to a second end of the vibrator; one or more capacitors connected in parallel to the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, respectively, wherein a first end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the first electrical contact and a second end of the one or more capacitors is connected to the second electrical contact; an inductor connected to the first electrical contact, a first end of the inductor connected to the first electrical contact; a switch having a drain terminal connected to the first electrical contact, the source terminal of the switch being connected to ground; a first power supply that provides a voltage to a gate terminal of the switch; a second power supply providing a voltage to a second end of the inductor; a resistor connected between the gate terminal of the switch and ground; a switch connected between the first end of the one or more capacitors and the first electrical contact, or between the second end of the one or more capacitors and the second electrical contact; 2. An electronic device comprising:

9. 1. An electronic device comprising: the electronic device includes a body portion that is connected to a cartridge; The body portion is a drive circuit for driving a vibrator of the cartridge when the cartridge is connected to the body portion; a control unit that controls the operation of the drive circuit; Including, The drive circuit a first electrical contact connected to a first end of the cartridge for supplying power to the vibrator, and a second electrical contact connected to a second end of the cartridge; one or more matching inductors connected to the first electrical contact, wherein first ends of the one or more matching inductors are connected to the first electrical contact and the one or more matching inductors are connected in parallel with each other; an inductor connected to the second ends of the one or more matching inductors, the first end of the inductor being connected to the second ends of the one or more matching inductors; a switch having a drain terminal connected to the first terminal of the one or more matching inductors, the source terminal of the switch being connected to ground; a first power supply that provides a voltage to a gate terminal of the switch; a second power supply providing a voltage to a second end of the inductor; a resistor connected between the gate terminal of the switch and ground; a switch connected in parallel with the one or more matching inductors; 2. An electronic device comprising:

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