Aerosol generator and aerosol generation system

Abstract

An aerosol generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes a heating unit including a coil and a susceptor, an AC current detection unit that detects the amount of AC power generated by the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil and the susceptor, a memory that stores a lookup table that includes temperature matching data for the susceptor corresponding to the amount of AC power, and a control unit that calculates the temperature of the susceptor based on the amount of AC power received from the AC current detection unit and the lookup table.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system, and more specifically, to calculating the susceptor temperature of an aerosol generating device using an induction heating method.

Background Art

[0002] In addition to the internal heating method and the external heating method, an induction heating method using a coil and a susceptor is also used to heat a cigarette (or an aerosol generating article). In the case of this induction heating method, when an alternating voltage is applied to the coil, a magnetic field is generated, and the temperature of the susceptor rises due to this magnetic field. The cigarette is heated by the susceptor to generate an aerosol.

[0003] When using the induction heating method to heat the susceptor, in order to measure the temperature of the susceptor, it can be measured in a contact manner by attaching a temperature sensor to the susceptor, or it can be measured in a non-contact manner through an infrared temperature sensor or the like.

[0004] However, the contact-type temperature measurement in which a temperature sensor is attached to the susceptor has a structure in which the temperature sensor cannot be separated from the susceptor and is fixed to the aerosol generating device. Even if the temperature sensor is separated, a measurement deviation may occur during detachment.

[0005] Also, non-contact temperature measurement such as an infrared temperature sensor is difficult to measure accurately when contamination occurs on the temperature sensor surface, and it is difficult to miniaturize the aerosol generating device in consideration of the focal length of the temperature sensor.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device and an aerosol generating system that enable miniaturization of the device and improve the accuracy of susceptor temperature measurement.

[0007] The problems to be solved through these embodiments are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which these embodiments belong, based on this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An aerosol generator according to one embodiment includes a heating unit including a coil and a susceptor, an AC current detection unit that detects the amount of AC power due to the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil and the susceptor, a memory that stores a lookup table including temperature matching data of the susceptor corresponding to the amount of AC power, and a control unit that calculates the temperature of the susceptor based on the amount of AC power received from the AC current detection unit and the lookup table.

[0009] An aerosol generation system according to one embodiment includes a cigarette and an aerosol generating device. The cigarette includes a susceptor, and the aerosol generating device includes a heating unit including a coil for inductively heating the susceptor, an AC current detection unit for detecting the amount of AC power generated by the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil and the susceptor, a memory storing a lookup table including temperature matching data of the susceptor corresponding to the amount of AC power, and a control unit that calculates the temperature of the susceptor based on the detected amount of AC power and the lookup table. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The various embodiments of the aerosol generating apparatus and aerosol generating system described herein can be miniaturized and the accuracy of susceptor temperature measurement improved by calculating the susceptor temperature based on the change in AC power generated in the induction heating section of the aerosol generating apparatus.

[0011] The effects of this embodiment are not limited to those described above, and any effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an induction heating type aerosol generator. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating an induction heating type aerosol generator. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a cigarette. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a cigarette. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates an example of a cigarette inserted into an aerosol generator. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates an example of a cigarette inserted into an aerosol generator. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the aerosol generation device. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of a susceptor to illustrate the epidermal effects exhibited by the susceptor. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of a susceptor to illustrate the epidermal effects exhibited by the susceptor. [Figure 10] This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the aerosol generation system. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a block diagram of an aerosol generator according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The terms used in this embodiment are, as much as possible, general terms currently in common use while considering the functions in the present invention. However, they may vary depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, precedents, or the emergence of new technologies. In certain cases, there are also terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description part of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention must be defined based not only on the name of the terms but also on the meaning they have and the overall content of the present invention.

[0014] Throughout the specification, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, it means that, unless there is a special contrary description, it does not exclude other components and may further include other components. Also, terms such as "… part" and "… module" described in the specification mean units that process at least one function or operation, and they may be embodied by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0015] Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0016] Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0017] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are drawings illustrating an aerosol generating device using an induction heating method.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device 100 also includes a susceptor 110, a receiving space 120, a coil 130, a battery 140, and a control unit 150. According to one embodiment, the susceptor 110 is also configured to be included in the cigarette 200 (FIGS. 3 and 4). In that case, as shown in FIG. 2, the aerosol generating device 100 does not include the susceptor 110.

[0019] In the aerosol generating device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the components related to this embodiment are illustrated. Therefore, it will be understandable to those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field related to this embodiment that, in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, other general-purpose components are further included in the aerosol generating device 100.

[0020] The aerosol generating device 100 can generate an aerosol by heating the cigarette 200 accommodated in the aerosol generating device 100 by an induction heating method. The induction heating method may mean a method of applying an alternating magnetic field whose direction periodically changes to a magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field, and generating heat from the magnetic body.

[0021] When an alternating magnetic field is applied to the magnetic body, energy losses due to eddy current loss and hysteresis loss occur in the magnetic body, and the lost energy can be released from the magnetic body as thermal energy. The larger the amplitude or frequency of the alternating magnetic field applied to the magnetic body, the more thermal energy can be released from the magnetic body. The aerosol generating device 100 can release thermal energy from the magnetic body by applying an alternating magnetic field to the magnetic body, and can transfer the thermal energy released from the magnetic body to the cigarette 200.

[0022] The magnetic body that generates heat by an external magnetic field is also the susceptor 110. The susceptor 110 can be formed in a shape such as a slice, a thin sheet, or a strip.

[0023] Susceptor 110 may also contain metal or carbon. Susceptor 110 may also contain at least one of ferrite, ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). Furthermore, susceptor 110 may also contain at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, nickel alloy, metal film, ceramics such as zirconia, transition metals such as nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), and metalloids such as boron (B) and phosphorus (P).

[0024] The aerosol generator 100 also includes a containment space 120 for containing a cigarette 200. The containment space 120 also includes an opening that is open to the outside of the containment space 120 in order to contain the cigarette 200 in the aerosol generator 100. The cigarette 200 can be contained in the aerosol generator 100 through the opening of the containment space 120, facing from the outside of the containment space 120 towards the inside of the containment space 120.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, a susceptor 110 may be placed at the inner end of the storage space 120. The susceptor 110 may be attached to the bottom surface formed at the inner end of the storage space 120. The cigarette 200 may be inserted into the susceptor 110 from its upper end and housed down to the bottom surface of the storage space 120.

[0026] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the aerosol generator 100 does not include the susceptor 110. In that case, the susceptor 110 is also included in the cigarette 200 (Figure 4).

[0027] The coil may be embodied by a solenoid. The coil may also be a solenoid wound along the side of the housing space 120, and a cigarette 200 may be housed in the internal space of the solenoid. The material of the conductor constituting the solenoid may be copper (Cu). However, it is not limited to copper, and the material of the conductor constituting the solenoid may also be an alloy containing one or at least one of silver (Ag), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), tungsten (W), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni), as a material that has a low resistivity and allows high current to flow.

[0028] The coil may be wound along the outer surface of the housing space 120 and positioned to correspond to the susceptor 110.

[0029] The battery 140 is a DC power source and can supply a DC voltage to the control unit 150 for the operation of the aerosol generator 100. In one embodiment, a regulator is also included between the battery 140 and the control unit 150 to maintain a constant voltage in the battery 140. The battery 140 is a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, but is not limited to that. For example, the battery may be a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) battery, a lithium titanate battery, or the like.

[0030] The control unit 150 can control the power supplied to the coil 130. The control unit 150 can induce heating of the susceptor 110 by controlling the drive frequency. It can also detect the amount of alternating current that has been varied by the induction heating of the susceptor 110 and calculate the temperature of the susceptor based on the detected amount of alternating current. The induction heating method of the control unit 150 and the method for calculating the temperature of the susceptor will be described later with reference to Figures 7 to 11.

[0031] Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating examples of cigarettes.

[0032] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the cigarette 200 also includes a tobacco rod 210 and a filter rod 220. Although Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the filter rod 220 as being composed of a single region, it is not limited to this, and the filter rod 220 may be composed of multiple segments. For example, the filter rod 220 may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering specific components contained in the aerosol. The filter rod 220 may also further include at least one segment that performs other functions.

[0033] A cigarette 200 may be packaged by at least one flap 240. The flap 240 may have at least one hole through which external air enters or internal air exits. For example, a cigarette 200 may be packaged by one flap 240. As another example, a cigarette 200 may also be superimposed on two or more flaps 240. Specifically, a first flap may package the tobacco rod 210, and a second flap may package the filter rod 220. The tobacco rod 210 and filter rod 220 packaged by each flap may be joined together, and the entire cigarette 200 may be further packaged by a third flap.

[0034] The tobacco rod 210 may also contain an aerosol-generating substance. For example, the aerosol-generating substance may include, but is not limited to, at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The tobacco rod 210 may also contain other additives such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or organic acids. A flavoring liquid such as menthol or a humectant may be added to the tobacco rod 210 by spraying it.

[0035] Tobacco rods 210 can be manufactured in various ways. For example, tobacco rods 210 can be manufactured from sheets, or from strands. Alternatively, tobacco rods 210 can be manufactured from shredded tobacco, which is tobacco sheets that have been finely cut.

[0036] In one embodiment, the cigarette 200 further includes a susceptor 110. In this case, the susceptor 110 may be positioned on the tobacco rod 210, as shown in Figure 4. The shape of the susceptor 110 is also rod-shaped, extending from the end of the tobacco rod 210 toward the filter rod 220.

[0037] The tobacco rod 210 may be covered with a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited to that. The heat-conducting material covering the tobacco rod 210 can evenly distribute the heat transferred to the tobacco rod 210, improving the thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod 210, thereby potentially improving the flavor of the aerosol produced from the tobacco rod 210.

[0038] The filter rod 220 is also a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod 220 can be formed into a variety of shapes. For example, the filter rod 220 can be a cylindrical rod, a tubular rod containing a hollow inside, or a recessed rod containing a cavity inside. If the filter rod 220 is composed of multiple segments, these segments may be manufactured in different shapes from each other.

[0039] The filter rod 220 may be manufactured so that it produces flavor. For example, a fragrance solution may be sprayed onto the filter rod 220, or a separate fiber coated with the fragrance solution may be inserted into the filter rod 220.

[0040] The filter rod 220 also contains at least one capsule 230. The capsule 230 can generate flavor and can also generate aerosols. For example, the capsule 230 may be formed in a structure that encloses a liquid containing a flavor in a coating. The capsule 230 may, but is not limited to, a spherical or cylindrical shape.

[0041] If the filter rod 220 includes a cooling segment for cooling the aerosol, the cooling segment may be made of a polymer or a biodegradable polymer. For example, the cooling segment may be made of pure polylactic acid alone. Alternatively, the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter containing multiple perforations. However, the cooling segment may be composed of a structure and material for cooling the aerosol, but is not limited to these.

[0042] Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating examples of cigarettes inserted into an aerosol generator.

[0043] More specifically, Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cigarette 200 inserted into an aerosol generator 100 when the susceptor 110 is placed in the aerosol generator 100, and Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cigarette 200 inserted into an aerosol generator 100 when the susceptor 110 is placed on the cigarette 200.

[0044] Referring to Figure 5, the cigarette 200 can be housed in the housing space 120 along the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 200. The susceptor 110 can be inserted into the cigarette 200 housed in the aerosol generator 100. When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the susceptor 110, the tobacco rod 210 can come into contact with the susceptor 110. The shape of the susceptor 110 may have a needle-shaped structure that extends in the longitudinal direction of the aerosol generator 100 so that it can be inserted into the cigarette 200.

[0045] The susceptor 110 may be located in the center of the containment space 120 so as to be inserted into the center of the cigarette 200. In Figure 5, the susceptor 110 is illustrated as being a single unit, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the aerosol generator 100 of the present disclosure may also include a plurality of susceptors 110 that extend longitudinally along the aerosol generator 100 and are arranged parallel to each other so as to be inserted into the cigarette 200.

[0046] The coil 130 may be wound along the outer surface of the housing space 120 and extended longitudinally. The coil 130 extended longitudinally may be positioned on the outer surface of the housing space 120. The coil 130 may be extended longitudinally to a length corresponding to the susceptor 110 and positioned at a location corresponding to the susceptor 110.

[0047] Referring to Figure 6, the cigarette 200 can be housed in the housing space 120 along the longitudinal direction of the cigarette 200. When the cigarette 200 is inserted into the housing space 120, the susceptor 110 can be surrounded by the coil 130.

[0048] The susceptor 110 may be located in the center of the tobacco rod 210 for uniform heat transfer. In Figure 6, the susceptor 110 is illustrated as being a single unit, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the aerosol generator 100 of this disclosure may also include multiple susceptors 110 contained within a cigarette 200.

[0049] The coil 130 may be wound along the outer surface of the housing space 120 and extended longitudinally. The coil 130 extended longitudinally may be positioned on the outer surface of the housing space 120. The coil 130 may be extended longitudinally to a length corresponding to the susceptor 110 and may be positioned at a location corresponding to the susceptor 110.

[0050] Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the aerosol generator.

[0051] Referring to Figure 7, the aerosol generator 100 also includes a battery 140, a control unit 150, an AC current detection unit 160, a heating unit HA, and a memory 170.

[0052] The battery 140 can supply a DC voltage to the control unit 150 as a DC power source for the operation of the aerosol generator 100. In one embodiment, a regulator (not shown) is included between the battery 140 and the control unit 150 to maintain a constant voltage in the battery 140.

[0053] The control unit 150 also includes an MCU (microcontroller unit) 151, a pulse width modulation processing unit 152, an amplifier 153, and an impedance matching unit 154.

[0054] The MCU 151 receives a DC voltage from the battery 140 to generate control signals and can transmit the generated control signals to other components of the aerosol generator 100. The MCU 151 can use the control signals to comprehensively control the battery 140, the control unit 150, the AC current detection unit 160, the heating unit HA, and the memory 170.

[0055] The pulse width modulation processing unit 152, under the control of the MCU 151, is supplied with a DC voltage from the battery 140 and can generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The pulse width modulation processing unit 152 can change the frequency of the PWM signal within a pre-set range and transmit the PWM signal to the amplifier 153. In one embodiment, the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 is implemented in a manner included in the MCU 151, and the PWM signal output from the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 is also a digital pulse width modulation signal (digital PWM signal). Furthermore, the PWM control signal transmitted from the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 is amplified by the amplifier 153 at a pre-set amplification factor.

[0056] The amplifier 153 can convert the DC voltage PWM signal received from the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 into an AC voltage. The amplifier 153 can be implemented by an array of numerous logic gates.

[0057] In one embodiment, the amplifier 153 receives two PWM signals of the same waveform from the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 and can perform calculations and amplification to convert the two PWM signals into AC voltages. The amplifier 153 performs calculations and amplification on the PWM signals and can transmit the PWM signals to a field-effect transistor (not shown). The calculations and amplification performed on the PWM signals by the amplifier 153 enable the PWM signals to be converted into AC voltages in the field-effect transistor. The field-effect transistor can be switched on and off by the PWM signals, or it can have a built-in timer and be switched on and off periodically. In one embodiment, the field-effect transistor can also be replaced by a switch. The amplifier 153 can apply the AC voltage to the coil 130.

[0058] The impedance matching unit 154 is positioned between the amplifier 153 and the heating unit HA (or the AC current detection unit 160), and by matching the output impedance of the amplifier 153 to the load of the heating unit HA, the supply of AC voltage can be maximized.

[0059] When an AC voltage is applied to the coil 130 from the amplifier 153 (or control unit 150), a magnetic field is generated in the coil 130. The frequency of the AC voltage transmitted from the amplifier 153 to the coil 130 can be determined by the frequency of the PWM signal transmitted from the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 to the amplifier 153. In other words, by changing the frequency of the PWM signal generated by the pulse width modulation processing unit 152, the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the coil 130 can also be changed accordingly.

[0060] An AC voltage can be applied to the coil 130 from the control unit 150. When an AC voltage is applied to the coil 130 from the control unit 150, the coil 130 can generate a magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field generated by the coil 130 may vary depending on the resistance of the coil 130.

[0061] The susceptor 110 may be located inside the coil 130. The susceptor 110 can heat the cigarette 200 (Figure 3) (or the aerosol product) by generating heat within the magnetic field generated by the coil 130. The amount of heat generated by the susceptor 110 may vary depending on the strength of the magnetic field generated by the coil 130.

[0062] The AC current detection unit 160 can detect the amount of AC power due to the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil 130 and the susceptor 110, and transmit the amount of AC power to the MCU 151.

[0063] In one embodiment, the AC current detection unit 160 is also a magnetic sensor that detects an AC current corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field formed by the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil 130 and the susceptor 110, and transmits the AC current to the MCU 151. For example, the magnetic sensor may include at least one of the following: a Hall effect sensor, a rotating coil, a giant magnetoresistance element, and a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device).

[0064] Memory 170 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 100, and can store data processed by the control unit 150, as well as data that is being processed. Memory 170 can be implemented by various types of RAM (random access memory) such as DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), and EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory).

[0065] The memory 170 can store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 100, at least one temperature profile, at least one power profile, and the user's smoking pattern. In this case, the temperature profile refers to the temperature change of the susceptor 110 over time, and when the susceptor 110 is heated according to the target temperature profile, it can provide the user with an optimal smoking experience.

[0066] Furthermore, the memory 170 stores matching data between the amount of AC power generated in the heating section HA by the inductive coupling phenomenon and the temperature of the susceptor 110 in the form of a lookup table, and the control unit 150 can calculate the temperature of the susceptor 110 based on the amount of AC power detected by the AC current detection unit 160 and the lookup table stored in the memory 170.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the lookup table may be generated in advance during the manufacturing process of the aerosol generator 100. For example, multiple AC voltages can be applied to the heating unit HA via the control unit 150, and the amount of AC power generated in the heating unit HA can be detected for each applied AC voltage via the AC current detection unit 160. At this time, a temperature sensor can be placed outside adjacent to the susceptor 110 (or heating unit HA) to measure the temperature of the susceptor 110, thereby obtaining temperature matching data for the susceptor 110 that corresponds to the amount of AC power detected in the heating unit HA.

[0068] Thus, the aerosol generator 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can accurately calculate the temperature of the susceptor 110 based on the AC power measured by monitoring the AC power generated in the heating section HA by the inductive coupling phenomenon at the input terminal of the heating section HA, which is not the input terminal of the control unit 150, and a previously stored lookup table. As a result, measurement deviation can be minimized compared to conventional contact-type temperature sensors, and miniaturization and measurement accuracy can be improved compared to conventional non-contact-type temperature sensors.

[0069] Furthermore, if the frequency of the AC current transmitted from the AC current detection unit 160 to the MCU 151 is excessively high, the MCU 151, which has a processing speed (e.g., 80 MHz) commonly applied in small devices, will have difficulty keeping up. Therefore, accurate temperature measurement is also difficult when the AC current frequency is high. For example, the MCU 151 can perform approximately 15 samples when the AC current frequency is 400 kHz, but only about 1 sample when the AC current frequency is 6 MHz.

[0070] Therefore, by changing the frequency of the PWM signal generated by the pulse width modulation processing unit 152, the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the coil 130 is also changed accordingly. By providing the PWM signal at a lower frequency, more precise temperature measurement becomes possible. For example, the frequency range of the PWM signal for precise measurement is 1 kHz or more and less than 1 MHz, and more preferably 200 kHz to 500 kHz.

[0071] Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the susceptor to illustrate the epidermal effect exhibited by the susceptor.

[0072] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, Figure 8 shows the current density when a low-frequency alternating current is applied to the susceptor 110, and Figure 9 shows the current density when a high-frequency alternating current is applied to the susceptor 110.

[0073] The skin effect is a phenomenon in which, when an electric current flows through a conductor, the inductance increases the closer you are to the center of the conductor due to the magnetic flux created by the current linking with the surface. As a result, a larger current flows at the surface of the conductor than at the center. For example, when a direct current flows through a conductor, the entire conductor has the same current density, but when an alternating current flows through a conductor, the current density is higher at the surface.

[0074] In particular, when alternating current flows through a conductor, the skin effect may be more pronounced as the frequency of the alternating current increases. The penetration depth can be determined by a formula such as Equation 1 below.

[0075]

number

[0076] In this case, d is the penetration depth, f is the frequency of the alternating current, μ is the permeability of the susceptor, and σ is the conductivity of the susceptor.

[0077] According to Equation 1, the first penetration depth d1 when a low-frequency alternating current is applied, as shown in Figure 8, can be greater than the second penetration depth d2 when a high-frequency alternating current is applied, as shown in Figure 9. In other words, since the effective cross-sectional area of ​​the susceptor 110 shown in Figure 8 is greater than the effective cross-sectional area of ​​the susceptor 110 shown in Figure 9, the resistance value becomes even smaller. As a result, the case where a low-frequency alternating current is applied to the susceptor 110, as shown in Figure 8, has improved power transmission capacity compared to the case where a high-frequency alternating current is applied to the susceptor 110, as shown in Figure 9, and is therefore even more advantageous for heating the cigarette 200 (Figure 3).

[0078] In other words, by changing the frequency of the PWM signal generated by the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 (Figure 7), the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the heating unit HA (Figure 7) is also changed accordingly. Therefore, when the PWM signal frequency is provided at a low frequency, the skin effect caused by the PWM signal frequency can be minimized. Furthermore, the susceptor 110 may have a needle-shaped structure (susceptor 110 (Figure 1)) or a rod-shaped structure (susceptor 110 (Figure 4)) in order to minimize the skin effect caused by the PWM signal frequency.

[0079] Other embodiments will be described below. In the following embodiments, the same configurations as those described in the embodiments already described will be omitted or simplified, and the differences will be described primarily.

[0080] Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the aerosol generation system.

[0081] The aerosol generating device 100 of the aerosol generating system 1000 shown in Figure 10 differs from the aerosol generating device 100 shown in Figure 7, which includes a susceptor 110 in the heating unit HA, in that it does not include a susceptor in the heating unit HA, but includes a susceptor 110 in the cigarette 200. Otherwise, the configuration is substantially the same.

[0082] Referring to Figure 10, the aerosol generation system 1000 also includes an aerosol generator 100 and a cigarette 200.

[0083] The cigarette 200 also further includes a susceptor 110. In this case, the susceptor 110 may be located within the tobacco rod 210 (Figure 4) of the cigarette 200. The shape of the susceptor 110 is also rod-shaped, extending from the end of the tobacco rod 210 toward the filter rod 220 (Figure 4).

[0084] The aerosol generating device 100 also includes a battery 140, a control unit 150, an AC current detection unit 160, a heating unit HA, and a memory 170.

[0085] The battery 140 can supply a DC voltage to the control unit 150 as a DC power source for the operation of the aerosol generator 100. In one embodiment, a regulator (not shown) is included between the battery 140 and the control unit 150 to maintain a constant voltage in the battery 140.

[0086] The control unit 150 also includes an MCU (microcontroller unit) 151, a pulse width modulation processing unit 152, an amplifier 153, and an impedance matching unit 154.

[0087] The MCU 151 receives a DC voltage from the battery 140 to generate control signals and can transmit the generated control signals to other components of the aerosol generator 100. The MCU 151 can use the control signals to comprehensively control the battery 140, the control unit 150, the AC current detection unit 160, the heating unit HA, and the memory 170.

[0088] When an AC voltage is applied to the coil 130 from the amplifier 153 (or control unit 150), a magnetic field is generated in the coil 130. The frequency of the AC voltage transmitted from the amplifier 153 to the coil 130 can be determined by the frequency of the PWM signal transmitted from the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 to the amplifier 153. In other words, by changing the frequency of the PWM signal generated by the pulse width modulation processing unit 152, the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the coil 130 can also be changed accordingly.

[0089] The susceptor 110 may be placed inside the tobacco rod 210 (Figure 4) of the cigarette 200. The susceptor 110 can heat the cigarette 200 (Figure 4) (or the aerosol product) by generating heat in the magnetic field generated by the coil 130. The amount of heat generated by the susceptor 110 may vary depending on the strength of the magnetic field generated by the coil 130.

[0090] The AC current detection unit 160 can detect the amount of AC power due to the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil 130 and the susceptor 110, and transmit the amount of AC power to the MCU 151.

[0091] In one embodiment, the AC current detection unit 160 is also a magnetic sensor that detects an AC current corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field formed by the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil 130 and the susceptor 110, and transmits the AC current to the MCU 151. For example, the magnetic sensor may include at least one of the following: a Hall effect sensor, a rotating coil, a giant magnetoresistance element, and a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device).

[0092] If the frequency of the alternating current transmitted from the AC current detection unit 160 to the MCU 151 is excessively high, the MCU 151, which has a processing speed (e.g., 80 MHz) commonly applied in small devices, will have difficulty keeping up with it. Therefore, accurate temperature measurement is also difficult when the frequency of the alternating current is high.

[0093] Therefore, by changing the frequency of the PWM signal generated by the pulse width modulation processing unit 152, the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the coil 130 is also changed accordingly. By providing the PWM signal at a lower frequency, more precise temperature measurement becomes possible. For example, the frequency range of the PWM signal for precise measurement is 1 kHz or more and less than 1 MHz, and more preferably 200 kHz to 500 kHz.

[0094] The memory 170 stores matching data between the amount of AC power generated in the heating element HA by the inductive coupling phenomenon and the temperature of the susceptor 110 in the form of a lookup table, and the control unit 150 can calculate the temperature of the susceptor 110 based on the amount of AC power detected by the AC current detection unit 160 and the lookup table stored in the memory 170.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the lookup table may be generated in advance during the manufacturing process of the aerosol generator 100. For example, multiple AC voltages can be applied to the heating unit HA via the control unit 150, and the amount of AC power generated in the heating unit HA can be detected for each applied AC voltage via the AC current detection unit 160. At this time, a temperature sensor can be placed outside adjacent to the susceptor 110 (or heating unit HA) to measure the temperature of the susceptor 110, thereby obtaining temperature matching data for the susceptor 110 that corresponds to the amount of AC power detected in the heating unit HA.

[0096] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0097] Referring to Figures 1 to 11, the operation method of the aerosol generator also includes the steps of applying an AC voltage to the coil 130 (S100), measuring the AC power of the heating section HA (S200), and calculating the temperature of the susceptor 110 (S300).

[0098] Specifically, in the step of applying an AC voltage to the coil 130 (S100), the aerosol generator 100 can receive a DC voltage from the battery 140 and use the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 to generate a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal. The amplifier 153 can convert the DC voltage PWM signal received from the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 into an AC voltage.

[0099] The frequency of the AC voltage transmitted from the amplifier 153 to the coil 130 can be determined by the frequency of the PWM signal transmitted from the pulse width modulation processing unit 152 to the amplifier 153. In other words, by changing the frequency of the PWM signal generated by the pulse width modulation processing unit 152, the frequency of the AC voltage applied to the coil 130 can also be changed accordingly.

[0100] The coil 130 can have an AC voltage applied to it from the control unit 150. When an AC voltage is applied to the coil 130 from the control unit 150, the coil 130 can generate a magnetic field. The susceptor 110 can heat the cigarette 200 (Figure 3) (or 200 in Figure 4) by generating heat within the magnetic field generated by the coil 130.

[0101] Next, in the step of measuring the AC power of the heating element HA (S200), the AC current detection unit 160 detects the AC power due to the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil 130 and the susceptor 110 and can transmit the AC power to the MCU 151.

[0102] In one embodiment, the AC current detection unit 160 is also a magnetic sensor that detects an AC current corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field formed by the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil 130 and the susceptor 110, and transmits the AC current to the MCU 151. For example, the magnetic sensor may include at least one of the following: a Hall effect sensor, a rotating coil, a giant magnetoresistive element, and a SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device).

[0103] Next, in the step of calculating the temperature of the susceptor 110 (S300), the control unit 150 can calculate the temperature of the susceptor 110 based on the amount of AC power detected by the AC current detection unit 160 and the lookup table stored in the memory 170.

[0104] The memory 170 can store matching data of the AC power generated in the heating element HA by the inductive coupling phenomenon and the temperature of the susceptor 110 in a lookup table format.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the lookup table may be generated in advance during the manufacturing process of the aerosol generator 100. For example, multiple AC voltages can be applied to the heating unit HA via the control unit 150, and for each applied AC voltage, the amount of AC power generated in the heating unit HA can be detected via the AC current detection unit 160. At this time, a temperature sensor can be placed outside adjacent to the susceptor 110 (or heating unit HA) to measure the temperature of the susceptor 110, thereby obtaining temperature matching data for the susceptor 110 that corresponds to the amount of AC power detected in the heating unit HA.

[0106] Figure 12 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating apparatus according to yet another embodiment.

[0107] Referring to Figure 12, the aerosol generator 1200 also includes a control unit 1210, a sensing unit 1220, an output unit 1230, a battery 1240, a heater 1250, a user input unit 1260, a memory 1270, and a communication unit 1280. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generator 1200 is not limited to what is shown in Figure 12. In other words, depending on the design of the aerosol generator 1200, some of the components shown in Figure 12 may be omitted, or new components may be added, as can be understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art related to this embodiment.

[0108] The sensing unit 1220 can sense the state of the aerosol generator 1200 or the state of the area around the aerosol generator 1200, and transmit the sensed information to the control unit 1210. Based on the sensed information, the control unit 1210 can control the aerosol generator 1200 so that various functions are performed, such as controlling the operation of the heater 1250, restricting smoking, determining whether or not to insert aerosol products (e.g., cigarettes, cartridges, etc.), and displaying notifications.

[0109] The sensing unit 1220 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the temperature sensor 1222, the insertion sensing sensor 1224, and the puff sensor 1226.

[0110] The temperature sensor 1222 can sense the temperature at which the heater 1250 (or the aerosol-generating material) is heated. The aerosol generator 1200 may include a separate temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heater 1250, or the heater 1250 itself may perform the role of a temperature sensor. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1222 may be positioned around the battery 1240 to monitor the temperature of the battery 1240. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor 1222 may measure the temperature of the heater 1250 before it is heated.

[0111] The insertion sensing sensor 1224 can detect the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. For example, the insertion sensing sensor 1224 may include 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 can detect signal changes due to the insertion and / or removal of aerosol products. In one embodiment, the insertion sensing sensor 1224 may determine that continuous use is occurring if, after detecting the insertion of aerosol products and after one smoking series has ended, it detects further insertion of aerosol products within a predetermined time.

[0112] The puff sensor 1226 can detect a user's puff based on various physical changes in the airflow passage or airflow channel. For example, the puff sensor 1226 can detect a user's puff based on any one of the following: temperature changes, flow rate changes, voltage changes, and pressure changes.

[0113] In addition to the aforementioned sensors (temperature sensor 1222, insertion sensor 1224, and puff sensor 1226), the sensing unit 1220 also includes at least one of the following: a temperature / humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a position sensor (e.g., GPS (global positioning system)), a proximity sensor, and an RGB (red-green-blue) sensor (illuminance sensor). The function of each sensor can be intuitively inferred from its name by an average engineer, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0114] The output unit 1230 can output and provide to the user information relating to the status of the aerosol generator 1200. The output unit 1230 may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the display unit 1232, the haptic unit 1234, and the acoustic output unit 1236. When the display unit 1232 and the touchpad form a layered structure and are configured as a touchscreen, the display unit 1232 can be used as an input device in addition to an output device.

[0115] The display unit 1232 can visually provide the user with information related to the aerosol generator 1200. For example, information related to the aerosol generator 1200 can include a variety of information such as the charging / discharging status of the battery 1240 of the aerosol generator 1200, the preheating status of the heater 1250, the insertion / removal status of aerosol products, or a state in which the use of the aerosol generator 1200 is restricted (e.g., detection of abnormal items), and the display unit 1232 can output this information to the outside. The display unit 1232 can also be, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED), etc. Furthermore, the display unit 1232 can also be in the form of an LED (light-emitting diode) light-emitting element.

[0116] The haptic unit 1234 can convert electrical signals into mechanical or electrical stimuli and provide the user with tactile information related to the aerosol generator 1200. For example, the haptic unit 1234 may also include a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulator.

[0117] The acoustic output unit 1236 can provide the user with auditory information related to the aerosol generator 1200. For example, the acoustic output unit 1236 can convert electrical signals into acoustic signals and output them externally.

[0118] Battery 1240 can supply power used to operate the aerosol generator 1200. Battery 1240 can supply power to heat the heater 1250. Battery 1240 can also supply power necessary for the operation of other components within the aerosol generator 1200 (e.g., sensing unit 1220, output unit 1230, user input unit 1260, memory 1270, and communication unit 1280). Battery 1240 can be both a rechargeable and a single-use battery. For example, battery 1240 is a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited to that.

[0119] The heater 1250 is powered by the battery 1240 and can heat the aerosol-generating material. Although not shown in Figure 12, the aerosol generator 1200 also further includes a power conversion circuit (e.g., a DC (direct current) / DC converter) that converts the power from the battery 1240 and supplies it to the heater 1250. Furthermore, if the aerosol generator 1200 generates aerosols by induction heating, the aerosol generator 1200 also further includes a DC / AC (alternating current) converter that converts the DC power supply of the battery 1240 into AC power supply.

[0120] The control unit 1210, sensing unit 1220, output unit 1230, user input unit 1260, memory 1270, and communication unit 1280 can perform their functions by being powered by the battery 1240. Although not shown in Figure 12, the system also further includes a power conversion circuit, such as an LDO (low dropout) circuit or a voltage regulator circuit, which converts the power from the battery 1240 and supplies it to each component.

[0121] In one embodiment, the heater 1250 may be formed from any suitable electrical resistant material. For example, such suitable electrical resistant materials may include, but are not limited to, metals or metal alloys, including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, and nichrome. The heater 1250 may also be embodied by, but are not limited to, a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate with an electrically conductive track, or a ceramic heating element.

[0122] In other embodiments, the heater 1250 is also an induction heating heater. For example, the heater 1250 may also include a susceptor that generates heat via a magnetic field applied by a coil to heat the aerosol-generating material.

[0123] In one embodiment, the heater 1250 also includes a plurality of heaters. For example, the heater 1250 may include a first heater for heating a cigarette and a second heater for heating a liquid.

[0124] The user input unit 1260 can receive information input by the user or output information to the user. For example, the user input unit 1260 may be a key pad, dome switch, touch pad (contact-type capacitive type, pressure-type resistive type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), jog wheel, jog switch, etc., but is not limited to these. Also, although not shown in Figure 12, the aerosol generator 1200 may further include a connection interface such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and may connect to other external devices via a connection interface such as a USB interface to send and receive information or charge the battery 1240.

[0125] Memory 1270 is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generator 1200, and can store data processed by the control unit 1210 and data being processed. Memory 1270 also includes at least one type of recording medium from among flash memory type, hard disk type, multimedia card micro type, card type memory (e.g., SD (Secure Digital) memory or XD (Extreme Digital) memory), RAM (random access memory), SRAM (static random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), PROM (programmable read-only memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk. Memory 1270 can store data such as the operating time of the aerosol generator 1200, the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and data related to the user's smoking pattern. In one embodiment, memory 1270 can store multiple temperature profiles. Furthermore, memory 1270 can store multiple preheating profiles, each defining a preheating interval within the temperature profile.

[0126] The communication unit 1280 also includes at least one component for communication with other electronic devices. For example, the communication unit 1280 also includes a short-range wireless communication unit 1282 and a wireless communication unit 1284.

[0127] The near-field communication unit 1282 may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth® communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy) communication unit, a near-field communication unit, a WLAN (wireless local area network) (Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)) 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.

[0128] The wireless communication unit 1284 may include, but is not limited to, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, or a computer network (e.g., LAN (local area network) or WAN (wide area network)) communication unit. The wireless communication unit 1284 can also verify and authenticate the aerosol generator 1200 within the communication network using subscriber information (e.g., International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI)).

[0129] The control unit 1210 can control the overall operation of the aerosol generator 1200. In one embodiment, the control unit 1210 also includes at least one processor. This processor may be embodied by an array of numerous logic gates, or by a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program that can be executed by the microprocessor. It will also be understood by those ordinary skill in the art to which this embodiment belongs that it may be embodied by other forms of hardware.

[0130] A person with ordinary skill in the art relating to this embodiment will understand that it can be embodied in modified forms that do not deviate from the essential characteristics described above. Therefore, the disclosed method should be considered from an explanatory rather than restrictive viewpoint. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims, not in the foregoing description, and all differences within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

Claims

1. A heating section including a coil and a susceptor, An AC current detection unit detects the AC current supplied to the coil via an impedance matching unit due to the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil and the susceptor, A memory in which a lookup table is stored, which includes temperature matching data for the susceptor corresponding to the alternating current, Based on the AC current received from the AC current detection unit and the lookup table, the temperature of the susceptor is calculated, and the control unit includes the impedance matching unit, The AC current detection unit is connected between the coil of the heating unit and the impedance matching unit of the control unit. The control unit controls the frequency of the PWM (pulse width modulation) signal transmitted to the coil to a low frequency in the range of 200 kHz to 500 kHz, thereby increasing the number of samplings of the AC current received from the AC current detection unit, in an aerosol generating apparatus.

2. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the AC current detection unit is a magnetic sensor that detects an AC current corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field formed between the coil and the susceptor and provides the AC current to the control unit.

3. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall effect sensor or a giant magnetoresistive element.

4. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a battery that supplies a DC power supply to the control unit.

5. The control unit, A pulse width modulation processing unit is supplied with a DC voltage from the battery and generates the PWM signal, The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 4, comprising: an amplifier that amplifies the PWM signal by a predetermined amplification factor to generate an AC voltage and provides the AC voltage to the coil.

6. The impedance matching section is The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an impedance matching is performed between the amplifier and the AC current detection unit to maximize the supply of the AC voltage.

7. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the frequency of the AC voltage is changed in the same way as the frequency of the PWM signal is changed.

8. The aerosol generating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the susceptor has a needle-shaped structure for minimizing the skin effect due to the frequency of the PWM signal.

9. In an aerosol generation system including a cigarette and an aerosol generating device, The cigarette contains a susceptor, The aerosol generating apparatus is A heating section including a coil for inductively heating the susceptor, An AC current detection unit detects the AC current supplied to the coil via an impedance matching unit due to the inductive coupling phenomenon between the coil and the susceptor, A memory in which a lookup table is stored, which includes temperature matching data for the susceptor corresponding to the alternating current, Based on the AC current received from the AC current detection unit and the lookup table, the temperature of the susceptor is calculated, and the control unit includes the impedance matching unit, The AC current detection unit is connected between the coil of the heating unit and the impedance matching unit of the control unit. The control unit controls the frequency of the PWM (pulse width modulation) signal transmitted to the coil to a low frequency in the range of 200 kHz to 500 kHz, thereby increasing the number of samplings of the AC current received from the AC current detection unit, in an aerosol generation system.

10. The aerosol generation system according to claim 9, wherein the AC current detection unit is a magnetic sensor that detects an AC current corresponding to the strength of the magnetic field formed between the coil and the susceptor and provides the AC current to the control unit.

11. The aerosol generation system according to claim 9, further comprising a battery that supplies DC power to the control unit.

12. The control unit, A pulse width modulation processing unit is supplied with a DC voltage from the battery and generates the PWM signal, The aerosol generation system according to claim 11, comprising: an amplifier that amplifies the PWM signal by a predetermined amplification factor to generate an AC voltage and provides the AC voltage to the coil.

13. The aerosol generation system according to claim 12, wherein the susceptor has a rod-shaped structure for minimizing the skin effect due to the frequency of the PWM signal.

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