Aerosol-generating device with improved charging

Abstract

The embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device with an improved charging method, and more specifically, to an aerosol generating device with an improved position of a charging terminal. The aerosol generating device of the embodiment comprises a cartridge, a control unit that controls power supply to at least the cartridge and battery charging, a battery for supplying power, and a main body terminal formed in a part that contacts the mounted cartridge, wherein the main body terminal is configured to be selectively electrically connected to a cartridge terminal or a charging adapter, and when the cartridge terminal is connected, power from the battery is supplied to the cartridge, and when the charging adapter is connected, external power is supplied to the battery.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device with an improved charging method, and more specifically, to an aerosol generating device with an improved position of a charging terminal. Background Technology

[0002] Aerosol generators are widely used as an alternative to conventional cigarettes, and liquid-type aerosol generators, in particular, are designed to vaporize and allow users to inhale a selected liquid. These devices are attracting attention as substitutes that reduce harmful substances generated during the tobacco combustion process, and technological advancements continue alongside market growth.

[0003] An aerosol generator is broadly divided into two main components: the device body and the substrate cartridge coupled thereto. The device body includes a battery and control circuitry, while the substrate cartridge contains a heater and an aerosol-forming substrate to be converted into aerosol. The battery provides the power necessary to heat the heater, and the control circuitry, typically including an MCU, supplies appropriately controlled power to the heater to efficiently generate aerosol.

[0004] Generally, aerosol generators utilize a rechargeable battery system. Accordingly, the aerosol generator also includes a charging terminal and circuitry related to charging. The charging terminal must be exposed to the outside of the aerosol generator; in particular, conventional aerosol generators typically configured the charging terminal or charging socket on the bottom surface of the device.

[0005] The charging structure of such conventional technology acts as a physical constraint on the design of aerosol generators. Internal space is required to form terminals or sockets, and since they must also be exposed to the outside, it imposes restrictions on the design of the external form. The problem to be solved

[0006] The embodiments aim to provide an aerosol generator that is lightweight and slim, and also has increased design freedom, by not configuring the charging terminal separately externally.

[0007] In addition, the embodiments aim to provide an aerosol generator capable of automatically selecting and performing charging control and heating control according to the connection state while sharing a charging terminal with a substrate cartridge connection terminal. means of solving the problem

[0008] An aerosol generating device of one embodiment comprises a main body and a cartridge mounted thereon, wherein the cartridge comprises a substrate storage unit for storing an aerosol-forming substrate, a heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, and a cartridge terminal unit electrically connected to the heating element to supply power from the main body to the heating element, and the main body comprises at least a control unit for controlling power supply to the cartridge and battery charging, a battery for supplying power, and a main body terminal unit formed in a portion in contact with the mounted cartridge, wherein the main body terminal unit is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the cartridge terminal unit or a charging adapter, and when the cartridge terminal unit is connected, power from the battery is supplied to the cartridge, and when the charging adapter is connected, external power is supplied to the battery.

[0009] In addition, in another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the main body terminal portion includes three terminals (a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal), and when the cartridge terminal portion is connected to the main body terminal portion, the first terminal is electrically connected to the cartridge terminal portion to supply battery power to a heating element, and when a charging adapter is connected to the main body terminal portion, the second terminal is electrically connected to the charging adapter to supply external power to the battery, and the third terminal operates as a common ground terminal.

[0010] In addition, in another embodiment, the aerosol generating device comprises a main body terminal portion including two terminals (a first terminal and a second terminal), and the main body further comprises at least one switching element that operates to selectively connect power supplied through the main body terminal portion to a battery or a cartridge, and the control unit detects whether the main body terminal portion is connected to a cartridge terminal portion or to a charging adapter, and accordingly controls the switching element to control power supply to the cartridge and whether to charge the battery.

[0011] In addition, in another embodiment, the aerosol generating device includes a first switching element that is activated when a cartridge terminal is connected and a second switching element that is activated when a charging adapter is connected, in order to selectively connect power supplied through a main body terminal to a battery or a cartridge; and the control unit is characterized by activating the first switching element to supply power from the battery to the cartridge when the cartridge terminal is connected, and activating the second switching element to supply external power to the battery when the charging adapter is connected.

[0012] In addition, in another embodiment, the aerosol generating device is characterized in that the control unit detects whether the main body terminal is connected to the cartridge terminal or connected to the charging adapter based on at least one of the voltage detected at the main body terminal, the inter-terminal resistance measured at the main body terminal, or the current detected at the main body terminal. Effects of the invention

[0013] The aerosol generator of the embodiment does not require a separate charging terminal, contributing to weight reduction and slimness, and since the charging terminal is not exposed externally, the freedom of external design is increased.

[0014] In addition, the aerosol generator of the embodiment has improved waterproof and dustproof performance because the charging terminal is not exposed to the outside, which can ultimately contribute to improving the durability of the device.

[0015] In addition, the aerosol generator of the embodiment shares a charging terminal with a substrate cartridge connection terminal, and since the control unit automatically detects the charger or substrate cartridge and switches the operation appropriately, a single terminal can be utilized for two purposes without user intervention, making it intuitive to use. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0016] FIG. 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of an aerosol generating device (1) of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generating device (1) of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the combination of a main body (100) and a charging adapter (300). FIG. 3 is a conceptually illustrated cross-sectional view to show the internal configuration of an aerosol generating device (1a) of a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of an aerosol generating device (1a) of a second embodiment combined with a charging adapter (300). FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing circuit elements included in the main body (100) of the aerosol generating device (1a) of the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining how the control unit (120) of the aerosol generating device (1a) of the second embodiment of the present invention detects a connection. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0017] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of an aerosol generating device (1) of a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) may be composed of a main body (100) and a cartridge (200) that is coupled to or accommodated in the main body (100).

[0019] The cartridge (200) includes a substrate storage portion (210) for storing a liquid or gel-type aerosol-forming substrate, a heating element (220) for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol, and cartridge terminal portions (231, 232) for supplying power to the heating element (220). FIG. 1 illustrates the process of the cartridge (200) being connected in the downward direction in the drawing, indicated by the arrow, and in actual use, the cartridge (200) moves further downward to come into contact with the main body (100) at the bottom surface.

[0020] An aerosol-forming substrate is stored in the substrate storage portion (210) of the cartridge (200), and the aerosol-forming substrate may be consumed by use. At this time, the user may continue to use the aerosol generating device by replacing the cartridge (200) or by replenishing the consumed aerosol-forming substrate in the substrate storage portion (210). The aerosol-forming substrate in the embodiments may be a mixed substance comprising at least one of, for example, a component derived from a vine, a fragrance, nicotine, VG (vegetable glycerin), PG (propylene glycol), etc.

[0021] The substrate storage portion (210) is manufactured in a three-dimensional shape to store an aerosol-forming substrate inside, and may be, for example, cylindrical or rectangular. The substrate storage portion (210) may be formed from a rigid plastic material such as polycarbonate (PC), ABS resin, polypropylene (PP), or Tritan. Alternatively, it may be formed from a heat-resistant plastic material such as PEEK, PAEK, PPSU, PSU, or PI.

[0022] The heating element (220) may be a known element capable of generating heat, for example by resistance heating, and may be a heating wire or a metal pattern. When power is applied, the heating element (220) generates heat and, in particular, heats the aerosol-forming substrate of the substrate storage unit (210) to generate an aerosol. To this end, the heating element (220) may be in the form of a combination of a hygroscopic body and a heating wire. Due to the heating of the heating element (220), the aerosol may be released into a predetermined atomization space near the heating element (220).

[0023] In order to apply power to the heating element (220), cartridge terminals (231, 232), which are conductors electrically connected to the heating element (220), are included. That is, the first cartridge terminal (231) and the second cartridge terminal (232) are electrically connected to the heating element (220) to form a heating circuit, and are connected to the main body terminal of the main body (100) to be described later to receive power therefrom.

[0024] The main body (100) includes a case (101) that forms the exterior and protects internal components, a battery (110) for supplying power to the components, and a control unit (120) for performing various controls of the device. Additionally, a cartridge receiving groove (102) is formed on one side of the case (101) for mounting or coupling a cartridge (200) to the main body (100), and may also include an airflow path (103) which is a passage through which aerosol generated from the cartridge (200) travels, and a mouthpiece (104) that the user contacts with their mouth to inhale the aerosol. The atomization space of the cartridge (200) from which the aerosol is emitted may be connected to the airflow path (103). Thus, the aerosol can reach the user's mouth through the airflow path (103) and the mouthpiece (104) by the user's puffing (inhalation) action.

[0025] The elements described above may be regarded as elements of the prior art, except for some specific details limited below. Accordingly, within the scope of the present invention, the elements may have various modified embodiments that can be conceived by those skilled in the art. For example, it may be conceived that the airflow path (103) and the mouthpiece (104) are formed on the cartridge (200) rather than the main body (100), and the connection position between the main body (100) and the cartridge (200) may be different. All such modifications may be made within the gist of the present invention.

[0026] The control unit (120) can be viewed as a collection of circuits for performing various controls of the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the control unit (120) may include a Micro-Controller Unit (MCU) for performing various controls on the aerosol generating device (1). The control unit (120) can control the power supply to the cartridge (200) to control the heating temperature of the heating element (220) to follow, for example, a predetermined temperature profile. Alternatively, the control unit (120) can also control the charging of the battery (110). The control unit (120) may be implemented in the form of, for example, a PCB or an FPCB.

[0027] The main body terminal section is configured to include three terminals in this embodiment. That is, the main body terminal section includes a first terminal (151), a second terminal (152), and a third terminal (153). The first terminal (151) is electrically connected by contacting the cartridge terminal section, specifically the first cartridge terminal (231), as is clearly shown in this drawing. Additionally, the third terminal (153) is electrically connected by contacting the second cartridge terminal (232), and specifically, the third terminal (153) functions as a ground terminal. Through this electrical connection, power from the battery (110) can be supplied to the heating element (220) of the cartridge (200). The second terminal (152) is electrically connected to a charging adapter, which will be described later, to supply power so that the battery (110) can be charged.

[0028] The main body terminal portions (151, 152, 153) are formed in a position within the main body (100) that can come into contact with the cartridge (200) being mounted. In this embodiment, the main body terminal portions (151, 152, 153) are formed to be exposed on the bottom surface of the cartridge receiving groove (102), so that when the cartridge (200) is coupled with the main body (100), it naturally comes into contact with the cartridge terminal portions (231, 232) and is electrically connected. The main body terminal portions (151, 152, 153) are also configured to be selectively connected to the cartridge terminal portions (231, 232) or a charging adapter to be described later.

[0029] The main body (100) may also include a switching element (130) controlled by a control unit (120). The switching element (130) may be, for example, a P-channel FET and is electrically connected to the control unit (120), the battery (110), and the first terminal (151). Accordingly, the switching element (130) supplies power from the battery (110) to the heating body (220) through the first terminal (151) and the first cartridge terminal (231) connected thereto, based on a control signal from the control unit (120). The control unit (120) can control the heating temperature profile of the heating body (220) by controlling the switching element (130).

[0030] FIG. 2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generating device (1) of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the combination of a main body (100) and a charging adapter (300). A charging adapter (300) connected to an external power source for charging can be connected to the cartridge receiving groove (102) of the main body (100) when the cartridge (200) is not connected. In this embodiment, the charging adapter (300) may include a power circuit (310) for converting an input power source (external power source) into an appropriate output power source, and may include a charging terminal section electrically connected thereto, namely a first charging terminal (321) and a second charging terminal (322). The charging adapter (300) may be treated as prior art, except for some limitations described below.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates the process of the charging adapter (300) being connected in the downward direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing, and in actual charging, the charging adapter (300) moves further downward to come into contact with the main body (100) on the bottom surface. Accordingly, the main body terminal portions (151, 152, 153) are electrically connected to the charging adapter (300), and in particular, the second terminal (152) and the third terminal (153) are electrically connected to the first charging terminal (321) and the second charging terminal (322) of the charging adapter (300), respectively, to supply external power to the battery (110). At this time, the third terminal (153) can also function as a ground terminal.

[0032] In this embodiment, the second terminal (152) is connected to a charging circuit (140), and the charging circuit (140) can be connected to a control unit (120) and a battery (110). The charging circuit (140) includes, for example, a power management circuit or a charging protection circuit, to safely charge the battery (110) with external power supplied through a charging adapter (300) under the control of the control unit (120). The switching element (130) and the charging circuit (140) can be physically integrated with the control unit (120), for example, formed as a single PCB.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, when a cartridge (200) is coupled to the main body (100), the first terminal (151) and the first cartridge terminal (231) are connected, and power from the battery (110) is transferred to the cartridge (200) via the switching element (130). As a result, the heating element (220) is heated, and an aerosol can be generated. At this time, the second terminal (152) is not used as there is no electrical connection. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, when a charging adapter (300) is coupled to the main body (100), the second terminal (152) and the first charging terminal (321) are connected, and external power is transferred to the battery (110) via the charging circuit (140). As a result, the battery (110) can be charged. At this time, the first terminal (151) is not used as there is no electrical connection. In both of these cases, the third terminal (153) functions as a common ground terminal. Only one of the cartridge (200) and the charging adapter (300) is selectively coupled to the main body (100), and the two are not coupled to the main body (100) simultaneously.

[0034] When the cartridge (200) is coupled to the main body (100), the circuit is naturally connected through the first terminal (151) and the second terminal (152) is open, so the heating action can be initiated by the control unit (120). On the other hand, when the charging adapter (300) is coupled to the main body (100), the circuit is naturally connected through the second terminal (152) and the first terminal (151) is open, so charging can also be initiated by the control unit (120).

[0035] FIG. 3 is a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of an aerosol generating device (1a) of a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is also a conceptual cross-sectional view illustrating an aerosol generating device (1a) of a second embodiment combined with a charging adapter (300). Compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment differs in the configuration of the main body terminal portion (161, 162). That is, the main body terminal portion includes two terminals, a first terminal (161) and a second terminal (162). Accordingly, the configuration in which the terminals are connected to the control portion (120) may also differ.

[0036] In the second embodiment, when a cartridge (200) is coupled to the cartridge receiving groove (102) of the main body (100), the first terminal (161) and the first cartridge terminal (231) come into contact and are electrically connected, and the second terminal (162), which is a ground terminal, comes into contact and is electrically connected to the second cartridge terminal (232). Additionally, in the second embodiment, when a charging adapter (300) is coupled to the cartridge receiving groove (102) of the main body (100), the first terminal (161) and the first charging terminal (321) come into contact and are electrically connected, and the second terminal (162), which is a ground terminal, comes into contact and is electrically connected to the second charging terminal (322).

[0037] At this time, the main body (100) may include a first switching element (131) and a second switching element (132) that operate to selectively connect power supplied through the main body terminal portions (161, 162) to the battery (110) or the cartridge (200). Additionally, the control unit (120) detects whether the main body terminal portions (161, 162) are connected to the cartridge terminal portions (231, 232) or to the terminal portions (321, 322) of the charging adapter (300), and accordingly controls the switching elements (131, 132) to appropriately control heating operation or battery charging.

[0038] FIG. 5, which illustrates the sensing and control operation of such a control unit (120), is a block diagram schematically showing circuit elements included in the main body (100) of the aerosol generating device (1a) of the second embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of FIG. 5 is identical to the block diagram of circuit elements schematically illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, but is illustrated in more detail.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 5, first, the second terminal (162) also functions as a common ground terminal. The first switching element (131) and the second switching element (132) connected to the first terminal (161) may be, for example, P-channel FETs and receive control signals (S1, S2) from the control unit (120). Here, the first switching element (131) is connected to the battery power supply (Vbat), and the second switching element (132) is connected to the charging circuit (140). Finally, a power measurement circuit (170) is connected to the first terminal (161). For example, the power measurement circuit (170) measures at least one of the voltage or current at the first terminal (161) or the resistance between the terminals (161, 162) and transmits the result to the control unit (120). The power measurement circuit (170) may include one or more of the conventional current sensor, voltage sensor, or resistance sensor. For example, the power measurement circuit (170) may include one or more of an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), a pull-up resistor, or a Hall effect sensor.

[0040] The first switching element (131) is activated by an activation signal (S1) of the control unit (120), and is particularly activated when the cartridge terminals (231, 232) are connected to supply power from the battery (Vbat, 110) to the cartridge (200). At this time, similar to the switching element (130) described above, the control unit (120) can control the first switching element (131) through the activation signal (S1) to control the heating temperature profile of the heating body (220).

[0041] The second switching element (132) is activated by an activation signal (S2) of the control unit (120), particularly when the terminal portion (321, 322) of the charging adapter (300) is connected to the main body terminal portion (161, 162), thereby supplying external power to the battery (Vbat, 110). At this time, when the second switching element (132) is activated, the external power supplied through the first terminal (161) flows to a charging circuit (140) controlled by a charging control signal (S3) of the control unit (120), and the battery (110) can be charged through the charging circuit (140).

[0042] The control unit (120) measures the power of the main body terminals (161, 162), for example, voltage, resistance, or current, through the power measurement circuit (170), and determines whether the main body terminals (161, 162) are connected to the cartridge terminals (231, 232) or to the terminals (321, 322) of the charging adapter (300) based on this measurement signal (S4).

[0043] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a control unit (120) of an aerosol generating device (1a) of a second embodiment of the present invention to detect a connection. When the detection process begins, the control unit (120) first measures the voltage of the first terminal (161) through the power measurement circuit (170) to determine whether a predetermined charging voltage, for example, a 5 V DC voltage, is detected (s110). If the above charging voltage is detected, the control unit (120) determines that the charging adapter (300) is connected and activates the second switching element (132) (s120). Accordingly, the charging circuit (140) operates so that external power is supplied to the battery (110) and charging can proceed (s130). On the other hand, if the predetermined voltage is not detected, the control unit (120) performs an additional check to see if the cartridge (200) is connected. For example, the control unit (120) measures the resistance of the first terminal (161) (e.g., the resistance between the first terminal and the second terminal) and determines whether a resistance of a predetermined resistance range, e.g., the resistance range of the heating element (220), between 2 Ω and 50 Ω, is detected (s140). At this time, if the resistance range is detected, the control unit (120) determines that the cartridge (200) is connected. Alternatively, the control unit (120) can determine whether the cartridge (200) is connected based on whether the heater is activated by measuring the current flowing to the heating element (220), i.e., the current flowing through the first terminal (161) (s140). If it is detected that the cartridge terminals (231, 232) are connected through the above determination, the control unit (120) activates the first switching element (131) (s150) and can continue to control it to operate the heating circuit (s160).

[0044] As explained above, the present invention is not limited to the specific preferred embodiments described above, and any person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains can make various modifications without departing from the essence of the invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications will be within the scope of the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0045] 1, 1a: Aerosol generator 100: Main body 110: Battery 120: Control unit 130: Switching element 140: Charging circuit 200: Cartridge 210: Substrate storage 220: Heating element

Claims

Claim 1 An aerosol generating device comprising a main body and a cartridge mounted thereon, wherein the cartridge comprises: a substrate storage portion for storing an aerosol-forming substrate; a heating element for heating the aerosol-forming substrate to generate an aerosol; and a cartridge terminal portion electrically connected to the heating element to supply power from the main body to the heating element; and the main body comprises: a control portion for controlling power supply to the cartridge and battery charging at least; a battery for supplying power; and a main body terminal portion formed in a portion in contact with the mounted cartridge; wherein the main body terminal portion is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the cartridge terminal portion or a charging adapter, and wherein, when the cartridge terminal portion is connected, power from the battery is supplied to the cartridge, and when the charging adapter is connected, external power is supplied to the battery. Claim 2 An aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the main body terminal portion includes three terminals (a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal), and when the cartridge terminal portion is connected to the main body terminal portion, the first terminal is electrically connected to the cartridge terminal portion to supply battery power to a heating element, and when a charging adapter is connected to the main body terminal portion, the second terminal is electrically connected to the charging adapter to supply external power to the battery, and the third terminal operates as a common ground terminal. Claim 3 The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, wherein the main body terminal portion comprises two terminals (a first terminal and a second terminal), the main body further comprises at least one switching element that operates to selectively connect power supplied through the main body terminal portion to a battery or a cartridge, and the control portion detects whether the main body terminal portion is connected to a cartridge terminal portion or to a charging adapter, and accordingly controls the switching element to control power supply to the cartridge and whether to charge the battery. Claim 4 An aerosol generating device according to claim 3, comprising: a first switching element that is activated when a cartridge terminal is connected to selectively connect power supplied through a main body terminal to a battery or a cartridge; and a second switching element that is activated when a charging adapter is connected; wherein the control unit activates the first switching element to supply power from the battery to the cartridge when the cartridge terminal is connected, and activates the second switching element to supply external power to the battery when the charging adapter is connected. Claim 5 An aerosol generating device according to paragraph 3, wherein the control unit detects whether the main body terminal is connected to the cartridge terminal or connected to the charging adapter based on at least one of the voltage detected at the main body terminal, the inter-terminal resistance measured at the main body terminal, or the current detected at the main body terminal.

Images