Cooling rate control method

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooling rate control method for controlling a coolant spray device configured to spray a coolant to a target area may be provided. The cooling rate control method is a method for controlling thermal energy applied to the sprayed coolant, thereby controlling, in stages, the time taken for the surface temperature of the target area to reach a target cooling temperature, and may be designed using multiple control methods that apply thermal energy to the coolant in different patterns.

Description

Cooling speed control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a cooling rate in cooling a target area, and more specifically, to a method for controlling a cooling rate of a target area in spraying a coolant to the target area using a coolant spraying device.

[0002] Recently, there has been significant interest in technologies that cool a target area by spraying a coolant. Specifically, this technology, which cools the target area to a specific target temperature by spraying a coolant, can produce skin beautifying effects on its own. Furthermore, it can be used in conjunction with cosmetic procedures such as laser treatment, botox, and filler injections to provide pain relief. Therefore, active research and development is being conducted in this area.

[0003] Meanwhile, cooling speed is one of the key criteria for determining the efficiency of target area cooling technology. In other words, the faster the target area cools, the higher the efficiency. In coolant injection devices, a high cooling speed directly translates into competitiveness.

[0004] However, in the case of a coolant injection device using coolant spray, if excessive cooling energy is applied to the target area to increase the cooling rate, irreversible damage to the target area may occur. In particular, the cooling energy delivered to the target area may vary significantly depending on factors such as the temperature of the space where the procedure is performed, the temperature of the coolant injection device itself, or the internal pressure of the coolant storage container.

[0005] In the present disclosure, a coolant injection device having both speed and safety is described, which cools a target area so that the temperature of the target area reaches a target cooling temperature relatively quickly, while preventing excessive cooling energy from being applied to the target area.

[0006] The task to be solved is to provide a control method for controlling the temperature of the coolant being sprayed when spraying the coolant onto a target area.

[0007] The task to be solved is to provide a method for classifying the methods for controlling the temperature of a coolant sprayed onto a target area into multiple methods and selecting one of the multiple control methods.

[0008] The task to be solved is to provide a method for controlling the initial cooling rate based on the start time of coolant injection when spraying coolant on a target area.

[0009] The task to be solved is to provide a method for determining a coolant temperature control method in a second injection by considering a coolant temperature control method in the first injection, in a first injection that injects coolant into a first target area and a second injection that injects coolant into a second target area.

[0010] The problems to be solved are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the present disclosure and the attached drawings.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a control method for controlling a coolant injection device to perform cooling on a target area using the coolant injection device so that a surface temperature of the target area becomes a target cooling temperature is provided, the coolant injection device comprising: a temperature controller configured to produce thermal energy according to any one of a plurality of control schemes; wherein the control method comprises the steps of: controlling the temperature controller in a first control scheme during a first time interval, wherein in the first time interval, the coolant injection device injects a coolant on a first target area from a first time point to a second time point when a first operation input is received; acquiring a surface temperature of the first target area corresponding to the first time point as a first temperature; acquiring a surface temperature of the first target area corresponding to a time point at which an initial time has elapsed from the first time point as a second temperature; calculating a first initial cooling rate using the first temperature, the second temperature, and the initial time; and controlling the temperature controller during a second time interval starting after the end of the first time interval, wherein in the second time interval, the coolant injection device injects coolant into a second target area from a third time interval to a fourth time interval when a second operation input is received;and i) when the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is less than the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to the second control method in the second time interval, and the thermal energy provided by the temperature controller controlled according to the first control method in the first time interval until the surface temperature of the first target region reaches the target cooling temperature is greater than the thermal energy provided by the temperature controller controlled according to the second control method in the second time interval until the surface temperature of the second target region reaches the target cooling temperature, and ii) when the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is greater than the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to the first control method in the second time interval.

[0012] In one embodiment, the surface temperature of the target area can reach the target cooling temperature relatively quickly.

[0013] In one embodiment, the surface temperature of the target area may not reach a critical temperature at which irreversible damage occurs.

[0014] In one embodiment, the time it takes for the temperature of the target area to reach the target cooling temperature can be reduced in a second injection that injects coolant into the second target area compared to a first injection that injects coolant into the first target area.

[0015] The effects of the invention are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a coolant injection system according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the configuration of a coolant injection device according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a graph showing how the surface temperature of a target area changes when controlling the coolant temperature according to a specific control method according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case where the surface temperature of a target area reaches a temperature that causes irreversible damage when cooling a target area according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a method for designing a temperature control method according to one embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing how the surface temperature of a target area changes depending on the type of control method according to one embodiment. Fig. 6 (a) is a graph showing how the surface temperature changes over time depending on the type of control method, and Fig. 6 (b) is a diagram showing the initial cooling rate depending on the type of control method.

[0022] Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a cooling rate control method according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a coolant injection device when a reset condition is satisfied according to one embodiment.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a control method for controlling a coolant injection device to perform cooling on a target area using the coolant injection device so that a surface temperature of the target area becomes a target cooling temperature is provided, the coolant injection device comprising: a temperature controller configured to produce thermal energy according to any one of a plurality of control schemes; wherein the control method comprises the steps of: controlling the temperature controller in a first control scheme during a first time interval, wherein in the first time interval, the coolant injection device injects a coolant on a first target area from a first time point to a second time point when a first operation input is received; acquiring a surface temperature of the first target area corresponding to the first time point as a first temperature; acquiring a surface temperature of the first target area corresponding to a time point at which an initial time has elapsed from the first time point as a second temperature; calculating a first initial cooling rate using the first temperature, the second temperature, and the initial time; and controlling the temperature controller during a second time interval starting after the end of the first time interval, wherein in the second time interval, the coolant injection device injects coolant into a second target area from a third time interval to a fourth time interval when a second operation input is received;and i) when the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is less than the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to the second control method in the second time interval, and the thermal energy provided by the temperature controller controlled according to the first control method in the first time interval until the surface temperature of the first target region reaches the target cooling temperature is greater than the thermal energy provided by the temperature controller controlled according to the second control method in the second time interval until the surface temperature of the second target region reaches the target cooling temperature, and ii) when the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is greater than the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to the first control method in the second time interval.

[0025] The temperature of the temperature controller controlled according to the second control method from the third time point to the initial time is lower than the temperature of the temperature controller controlled according to the first control method from the first time point to the initial time.

[0026] The temperature controller includes a thermoelectric element that receives electric power and produces thermal energy, and the amount of electric power per unit time applied to the temperature controller in the first time interval has a value greater than the amount of electric power per unit time applied to the temperature controller in the second time interval.

[0027] The surface temperature of the second target area corresponding to the third point in time, the surface temperature of the second target area corresponding to the point in time when the initial time has elapsed from the third point in time, and the magnitude of the second initial cooling rate calculated using the initial time have a value greater than the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate.

[0028] When the temperature controller is controlled according to the second control method in the second time interval, the time required for the surface temperature of the first target area corresponding to the first time point in the first time interval to first reach the target cooling temperature is longer than the time required for the surface temperature of the second target area corresponding to the third time point in the second time interval to first reach the target cooling temperature.

[0029] The above initial time is determined in less than 1 second.

[0030] If the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is greater than the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to the first control method in the second time interval.

[0031] If the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is less than the threshold value, but the second operation input is not received within the threshold time from the second time point in the first time interval, the temperature controller is controlled according to the first control method in the second time interval.

[0032] The above critical time is determined to be 60 seconds or less.

[0033] The control method includes a step of injecting a coolant into a third target area in a third time interval from a fifth time point to a sixth time point after the fourth time point, according to a third manipulation input; and when the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is less than the threshold value and the magnitude of the second initial cooling rate is less than the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to a third control method in the third time interval, and a time required for the surface temperature of the third target area corresponding to the fifth time point in the third time interval to first reach the target cooling temperature is shorter than a time required for the surface temperature of the second target area corresponding to the third time point in the second time interval to first reach the target cooling temperature.

[0034] The thermal energy provided by the temperature controller controlled according to the second control method in the second time period from the second time period until the surface temperature of the second target region reaches the target cooling temperature is greater than the thermal energy provided by the temperature controller controlled according to the third control method in the third time period from the fifth time period until the surface temperature of the third target region reaches the target cooling temperature.

[0035] The temperature controller includes a thermoelectric element that receives electric power and produces thermal energy, and when the temperature controller is controlled according to the second control method in the second time interval and the temperature controller is controlled according to the third control method in the third time interval, the amount of electric power per unit time applied to the temperature controller in the second time interval has a value greater than the amount of electric power per unit time applied to the temperature controller in the third time interval.

[0036] When the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is smaller than the threshold value and the magnitude of the second initial cooling rate is larger than the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to the second control method in the third time section.

[0037] If the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is less than the threshold value, and the magnitude of the second initial cooling rate is less than the threshold value, but the third operation input is not received within the threshold time from the fourth time point in the second time section, the temperature controller is controlled according to the first control method in the third time section.

[0038] The coolant injection initiated at the first point in time upon receipt of the first operation input is the first coolant injection performed after the power of the coolant injection device is turned on.

[0039] According to another embodiment, a control method for controlling a coolant injection device to perform cooling on a target area using the coolant injection device so that a surface temperature of the target area becomes a target cooling temperature is provided, the coolant injection device comprising: a temperature controller configured to produce thermal energy according to any one of a plurality of control schemes; wherein the control method comprises: controlling the temperature controller in a first control scheme during a first time period, wherein during the first time period, the coolant injection device injects a coolant to a first target area from a first time period to a second time period when a first operation input is received; acquiring a surface temperature of the first target area corresponding to the first time period as a first temperature; acquiring a surface temperature of the first target area corresponding to a time period after an initial time has elapsed from the first time period as a second temperature; calculating a first initial cooling rate using the first temperature, the second temperature, and the initial time; And a step of controlling the temperature controller during a second time interval starting after the end of the first time interval, wherein in the second time interval, the coolant injection device injects coolant into a second target area from a third time point to a fourth time point when a second operation input is received; wherein i) when the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is less than a threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to a second control method in the second time interval, and a first waiting time from the third time point in the second time interval to the time point at which power is applied to the temperature controller is longer than a second waiting time from the first time point in the first time interval to the time point at which power is applied to the temperature controller, and ii) when the magnitude of the first initial cooling rate is greater than the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled according to the first control method in the second time interval.

[0040] According to another embodiment, a coolant injection device for injecting a coolant so that a temperature of a target area is maintained at a target temperature, the device comprising: a flow controller configured to allow or block injection of the coolant; a nozzle having an orifice of a preset size and providing a passage through which a coolant passing through the flow controller is injected to the outside; a temperature controller disposed within the coolant injection device and configured to transfer thermal energy to the coolant, the temperature controller including a heat transfer portion providing a passage through which the coolant moves and a heating portion configured to heat the heat transfer portion; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of an area including at least a portion of the target area when the coolant injection device injects the coolant toward the target area; And a controller configured to control at least the flow controller and the temperature controller; wherein the controller controls the flow controller to inject the coolant when a trigger input is received, wherein i) when the coolant injection is initiated, the temperature controller is controlled according to an initial control mode selected from among a plurality of pre-stored initial control modes, and ii) when a preset condition is satisfied, a feedback control is initiated to control the temperature controller based on a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and the target temperature, wherein the initial control mode is selected based on an initial cooling rate calculated for at least a portion of a time period prior to initiating the feedback control in coolant injection that was performed according to a past trigger input input prior to the trigger input, and wherein the plurality of pre-stored initial control modes include at least a second initial control mode and a first initial control mode that provides a greater amount of heat energy than the second initial control mode.

[0041] The controller receives a first trigger input and controls the flow controller in a first time interval to inject the coolant, wherein the temperature controller is controlled using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the first time interval, and controls the flow controller in a second time interval based on a second trigger input received after the first time interval to inject the coolant, wherein if the first initial cooling rate is below a threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the second initial control mode and the feedback control in the second time interval, wherein the first initial cooling rate is calculated using a temperature measured by the temperature sensor in at least a part of a time interval during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the first initial control mode, and an amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller according to the second initial control mode is less than an amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller according to the first initial control mode.

[0042] The controller controls the flow rate controller to inject the coolant in a third time interval based on a third trigger input received after the second time interval, and controls the temperature controller using at least a third initial control mode and the feedback control in the third time interval when the second initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, and the second initial cooling rate is calculated using a temperature measured by the temperature sensor in at least a part of the time interval during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode, and an amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller according to the third initial control mode is less than an amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller according to the second initial control mode.

[0043] The controller controls the flow rate controller in a third time interval based on a third trigger input received after the second time interval to inject the coolant, and if the second initial cooling rate is lower than or equal to the threshold value, controls the temperature controller in the third time interval using at least a third initial control mode and the feedback control, wherein the second initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in at least a part of the time interval during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode, and in the second time interval, the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a first temperature, and in the third time interval, the temperature controller is controlled according to the third initial control mode until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

[0044] The controller controls the flow rate controller to inject the coolant in a third time interval based on a third trigger input received after the second time interval, and if the second initial cooling rate exceeds the threshold value, controls the temperature controller using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the third time interval, and the second initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in at least a part of the time interval during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode.

[0045] The controller receives a first trigger input and controls the flow controller in a first time interval to inject the coolant, wherein the temperature controller is controlled using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the first time interval, and controls the flow controller in a second time interval based on a second trigger input received after the first time interval to inject the coolant, wherein if the first initial cooling rate exceeds a threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the second time interval, and the first initial cooling rate is calculated using a temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the time interval during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the first initial control mode.

[0046] The controller receives a first trigger input and controls the flow controller in a first time interval to inject the coolant, wherein the temperature controller is controlled using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the first time interval, and controls the flow controller in a second time interval based on a second trigger input received after the first time interval to inject the coolant, wherein if the first initial cooling rate is below a threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the second initial control mode and the feedback control in the second time interval, wherein the first initial cooling rate is calculated using a temperature measured by the temperature sensor in at least a part of the time interval during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the first initial control mode, and the temperature controller controlled according to the second initial control mode does not produce heat energy until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a first temperature.

[0047] The controller controls the flow rate controller to inject the coolant in a third time interval based on a third trigger input received after the second time interval, and controls the temperature controller using at least a third initial control mode and the feedback control in the third time interval when the second initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, and the second initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in at least a part of the time interval during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode, and the temperature controller controlled according to the third initial control mode does not produce heat energy until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

[0048] The first temperature and the second temperature are determined based on the target temperature.

[0049] The initial cooling rate is calculated using a first measurement value and a second measurement value, wherein the first measurement value is a value measured by the temperature sensor at a first point in time when the past trigger input is received and injection of the coolant is initiated, and the second measurement value is a value measured by the temperature sensor at a second point in time when an initial time has elapsed from the first point in time.

[0050] When the trigger input is the first trigger input input after the coolant injection device is reset or switched on, the controller controls the temperature controller using a default initial control mode among the plurality of initial control modes and the feedback control, and the amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller before the feedback control is performed is the greatest when controlled according to the default initial control mode among the plurality of initial control modes.

[0051] When the trigger input is received after a critical time from the point in time when the coolant injection by the coolant injection device is stopped, the controller controls the temperature controller using a default initial control mode and the feedback control among the plurality of initial control modes, and the amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller before the feedback control is performed is the greatest when controlled according to the default initial control mode among the plurality of initial control modes.

[0052] According to another embodiment, a coolant injection device for injecting a coolant so that a temperature of a target area is maintained at a target temperature, the device comprising: a flow controller configured to allow or block injection of the coolant; a nozzle having an orifice of a preset size and providing a passage through which a coolant passing through the flow controller is injected to the outside; a temperature controller disposed within the coolant injection device and configured to transfer thermal energy to the coolant, the temperature controller including a heat transfer portion providing a passage through which the coolant moves and a heating portion configured to heat the heat transfer portion; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of an area including at least a portion of the target area when the coolant injection device injects the coolant toward the target area; A coolant injection device is provided, comprising: a controller configured to control operations of at least the flow controller and the temperature controller; wherein the controller receives a first trigger input and controls the flow controller to inject the coolant in a first time interval, and in the first time interval, controls the temperature controller to produce a predetermined amount of heat energy and then initiates feedback control to control heat energy produced by the temperature controller based on a difference between a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the target temperature; and controls the flow controller to inject the coolant in a second time interval based on a second trigger input received after the first time interval, and controls the temperature controller not to produce heat energy in the second time interval if the first initial cooling rate is below a threshold value and then initiates the feedback control, wherein the first initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in at least a portion of a time interval before the feedback control is initiated among the first time intervals.

[0053] The controller controls the flow rate regulator to inject the coolant in a third time interval based on a third trigger input received after the second time interval, and if the second initial cooling rate is lower than or equal to the threshold value, controls the temperature regulator not to produce heat energy in the third time interval and then initiates the feedback control, and the second initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor at least at a point in time before the feedback control is initiated during the second time interval, and in the second time interval, the feedback control is initiated when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a first temperature, and in the third time interval, the feedback control is initiated when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature.

[0054] The first temperature and the second temperature are determined based on the target temperature.

[0055] The above-described purposes, features, and advantages will become more apparent through the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and various embodiments. Therefore, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below.

[0056] In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity, and when an element or layer is referred to as "on" or "on" another element or layer, this includes not only the case where the element or layer is directly above the other element or layer, but also the case where another layer or other element is interposed. In principle, the same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout the specification. In addition, elements that have the same function within the scope of the same idea shown in the drawings of each embodiment are described using the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The numbers used in the description of this specification (e.g., first, second, etc.) are merely identifiers to distinguish one component from another.

[0058] In addition, the suffixes "module" and "part" for components used in the following examples are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

[0059] In the examples below, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0060] In the following examples, terms such as “include” or “have” mean that a feature or component described in the specification is present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0061] For convenience of explanation, the sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced. For example, the sizes and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown.

[0062] In some embodiments, where implementations are otherwise feasible, specific process sequences may be performed in a different order than described. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or in a reverse order from the described order.

[0063] In the following examples, when it is said that a film, region, component, etc. are connected, it includes not only cases where the films, regions, and components are directly connected, but also cases where other films, regions, and components are interposed between the films, regions, and components and are indirectly connected.

[0064] For example, when it is said in this specification that a film, region, component, etc. are electrically connected, it includes not only cases where the film, region, component, etc. are directly electrically connected, but also cases where another film, region, component, etc. is interposed and indirectly electrically connected.

[0065] In the following examples, the meaning that a membrane, region, component, etc. are fluidly connected can be interpreted to mean that the membrane, region, component, etc. each form at least a portion of a flow path through which a fluid flows.

[0066] For example, in this specification, the fact that component A is fluidly connected to component B may mean that a fluid passing through a path formed by component A can reach a path formed by component B, or vice versa. Specifically, if components A and B are combined such that the path formed by component A and the path formed by component B are directly connected, components A and B may be considered to be fluidly connected. Alternatively, if components A and B are connected through component C, such as a conduit, such that the path formed by component A and the path formed by component B are indirectly connected through the path formed by component C, components A and B may be considered to be fluidly connected. In this case, component C may be interpreted as fluidly connecting components A and B. Furthermore, components A and B may of course be fluidly connected through a plurality of components.

[0067]

[0068] The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the cooling rate when cooling a target area. More specifically, the method involves using a coolant injection device to spray coolant onto the target area, thereby cooling the target area, while controlling the rate at which the surface temperature of the target area reaches a target cooling temperature. Furthermore, the method aims to control the temperature of the coolant sprayed onto the target area so that the surface temperature of the target area does not drop excessively during the cooling process.

[0069] "Target area" may refer to the area within the target where the coolant is sprayed. "Target" may refer to a body part intended to produce a cosmetic or medical effect through a procedure, treatment, or care. Hereinafter, the target is described as the skin, and accordingly, the target area is described as the area on the skin surface where the coolant is sprayed. However, the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0070] The 'surface temperature' of the target area may refer to a temperature measured for the target area using a temperature sensor. Specifically, the surface temperature of the target area may refer to a temperature measured for a temperature sensing area that at least partially overlaps the target area.

[0071] The term "coolant" may refer to a substance capable of applying cooling energy to a target area. For example, the coolant may include carbon dioxide (CO2), liquid nitrogen (LN), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen monoxide (NO), a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) series substance, methane (CH4), perfluorocarbon (PFC), SF6, coolant, a cooling gas, or a combination thereof.

[0072] [Coolant injection system]

[0073] Hereinafter, a coolant injection system (100) is described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0074] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a coolant injection system (100) according to one embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the coolant injection system (100) may include a coolant injection device (1000) and a cartridge (2000).

[0075] The coolant injection device (1000) may be designed to receive a coolant and inject the coolant. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a cartridge (2000) storing the coolant is coupled to the coolant injection device (1000), and the coolant stored in the cartridge (2000) can be injected externally through the coolant injection device (1000). The configurations of the coolant injection device (1000) for injecting the coolant are described in detail in FIG. 2.

[0076] The coolant injection device (1000) can control the flow rate and temperature of the supplied coolant. Specifically, the coolant supply device (1000) can control the supply amount, supply time, temperature, and / or pressure of the coolant.

[0077] The cartridge (2000) can store a coolant. The cartridge (2000) can store a coolant under a certain pressure, and the pressure can be determined between about 35 bar and 100 bar at 0 to 40°C.

[0078] The pressure within the cartridge (2000) may vary depending on the temperature of the cartridge (2000). For example, if the cartridge (2000) is stored at a relatively high temperature, the temperature of the cartridge (2000) may increase, and accordingly, the pressure within the cartridge (2000) may also increase.

[0079] The pressure within the cartridge (2000) affects the pressure before the coolant is injected from the coolant injection device (1000), and accordingly, affects the temperature change due to expansion when the coolant is injected from the coolant injection device (1000). Specifically, the higher the pressure within the cartridge (2000), the higher the pressure of the coolant within the coolant injection device (1000), which increases the injection speed of the coolant, and according to the law of conservation of energy, the temperature of the coolant injected from the coolant injection device (1000) may be lowered.

[0080] Meanwhile, although FIG. 1 illustrates a cartridge (2000) coupled to a coolant injection device (1000), the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the coolant injection device (1000) may be supplied with coolant from a storage facility, such as a tank, through a hose or the like.

[0081]

[0082] [Composition of the coolant injection device]

[0083] Below, the configurations of the coolant injection device (1000) are described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0084] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the configuration of a coolant injection device (1000) according to one embodiment.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 2, the coolant injection device (1000) may include a coolant injection unit (1100), an injection unit coupling unit (1200), a temperature controller (1300), a flow controller (1400), a cartridge coupling unit (1500), a sensor unit (1600), an input unit (1700), an output unit (1800), and a control unit (1900).

[0086] The coolant injection unit (1100) may include a structure for injecting a coolant. Specifically, the coolant injection unit (1100) may extend from one end to the other to form a flow path, and may include a portion of the flow path having a relatively narrow width. The fluid passing through the coolant injection unit (1100) may have its pressure reduced as it passes through the narrow portion, thereby expanding, and as a result, may be injected at a high speed. At this time, the fluid expands adiabatically as it passes through the coolant injection unit (1100) and has a very low temperature. The temperature of the coolant may be controlled to a temperature suitable for a procedure or treatment by a temperature controller (1300) described below.

[0087] The coolant injection unit (1100) may be understood as a nozzle. However, the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the coolant injection unit (1100) may also be understood as a configuration including a fluid movement passage in the form of a tube having a narrow width.

[0088] The coolant injection unit (1100) can be attached to and detached from the coolant injection device (1000). For example, the coolant injection unit (1100) can be attached to or detached from the coolant injection device (1000) via the injection unit coupling unit (1200). Alternatively, the coolant injection unit (1100) can be physically connected to and integrally formed with the coolant injection device (1000).

[0089] A coolant spray unit (1100) may be coupled to the spray unit coupling unit (1200). A flow path for the coolant to move may be formed inside the spray unit coupling unit (1200). For example, the spray unit coupling unit (1200) may include an outlet hole, and the coolant may move to the coolant spray unit (1100) coupled to the spray unit coupling unit (1200) through the outlet hole.

[0090] The temperature controller (1300) can control the temperature of the coolant. For example, the temperature controller (1300) can increase the temperature of the coolant by providing thermal energy to the coolant, and the temperature of the coolant can be controlled according to the amount of thermal energy provided by the temperature controller (1300). The coolant sprayed through the coolant spray unit (1100) can have a relatively low temperature as described above, and the temperature of the coolant can vary depending on the thermal energy provided by the temperature controller (1300).

[0091] The temperature controller (1300) may include a heat production unit that produces heat energy and a heat transfer unit that transfers the produced heat energy to a path through which a coolant moves.

[0092] For example, the heat generating unit may be a thermoelectric element. Specifically, the heat generating unit includes a first surface and a second surface, and according to a thermoelectric effect such as the Peltier effect, when power is applied, the first surface may generate heat and the second surface may absorb heat. Here, the heat energy produced as the first surface generates heat may be proportional to the voltage, current, voltage squared, or power applied to the heat generating unit. In other words, the amount of heat energy produced may also increase as a higher voltage or current is applied to the heat generating unit.

[0093] For example, the heat transfer unit may be formed in at least a portion of a tube through which a coolant moves in a coolant injection device (1000). Specifically, the heat transfer unit includes a porous structure or a micro-tubular structure installed inside the tube, and direct heat exchange may occur between the heat transfer unit and the coolant as the coolant passes through the porous structure.

[0094] The flow controller (1400) can control the movement of the coolant. For example, the flow controller (1400) includes a valve and can open and close the valve by receiving a signal from the control unit (1900). Depending on whether the valve is opened or closed, the coolant may or may not move. The flow rate of the coolant can be controlled depending on the degree of opening or closing of the valve.

[0095] The amount of cooling energy per unit time provided to the target area can be controlled using the flow controller (1400). For example, if the flow controller (1400) is a valve, the amount of coolant sprayed per unit time to the target area can be controlled by controlling the opening and closing cycle of the valve. As the amount of coolant sprayed per unit time to the target area is controlled, the cooling energy per unit time delivered to the target area can also be controlled, and accordingly, the rate of change in the surface temperature of the target area can be controlled.

[0096] The cartridge coupling portion (1500) can accommodate at least a portion of the aforementioned cartridge (2000). With the cartridge (2000) coupled to the cartridge coupling portion (1500), the coolant stored in the cartridge (2000) can move to the coolant injection device (1000).

[0097] The sensor unit (1600) can measure the temperature of the area where the coolant is sprayed. For example, the sensor unit (1600) can measure the temperature of the target area where the coolant is sprayed and provide the acquired information to the control unit (1900).

[0098] The input unit (1700) can receive a user's input. For example, the input unit (1700) includes at least one push button switch, and can provide a push input signal to the control unit (1900) according to the user's pressing of the switch, and the control unit (1900) can control the opening and closing of the flow controller (1400), etc., based on the push input signal.

[0099] In addition, the input unit (1700) includes at least one rotary switch and can provide a rotary input signal to the control unit (1900) according to a user's operation, and the control unit (1900) can set a target cooling temperature or a target cooling time, etc. based on the rotary input signal. Here, the target cooling temperature may refer to a target to which a coolant is to be sprayed, for example, a temperature to which a target area is to be cooled. In addition, the target cooling time may refer to a time during which the coolant spraying must be maintained or a time during which the surface temperature of the target area must pass to reach the target cooling temperature.

[0100] The output unit (1800) can output an interface and various information for the user to use the coolant supply device (1000). For example, the output unit (1800) includes a display, and an interface for setting a target cooling temperature, a target cooling time, etc. can be output through the display. During operation of the coolant injection device (1000), information such as the real-time temperature of a target area measured by the sensor unit (1600) or the total time for which the coolant has been injected can be output.

[0101] The control unit (1900) can control the components of the coolant injection device (1000). For example, the control unit (1900) can control the temperature of the coolant by controlling the temperature controller (1300), the flow controller (1400) can control the flow of the coolant, and the output unit (1800) can output specific information to the user.

[0102] Although not shown in FIG. 2, the coolant injection device (1000) may further include memory. The memory may store various data, programs, or applications necessary for the operation of the coolant injection device (1000). The program or application stored in the memory may include one or more commands. The various data may include information obtained from the sensor unit (1600), the temperature of the temperature controller (1300), and voltage, current, or power values ​​applied to the temperature controller (1300). The program stored in the memory may include commands corresponding to a plurality of control methods for controlling the temperature controller (1300) described below. The memory may store various data temporarily or semi-permanently. Examples of the memory may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0103] In addition, the coolant injection device (1000) may include a communication unit for communicating with an external device. The communication unit may perform wired or wireless communication, and may be, for example, a wired / wireless Local Area Network (LAN) module, a Wide area network (WAN) module, an Ethernet module, a Bluetooth module, a Zigbee module, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) module, an IEEE 1394 module, a Wi-Fi module, a mobile communication module, a satellite communication module, or a combination thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0104] The coolant injection device (1000) can operate as follows.

[0105] First, the control unit (1900) can set a target cooling temperature and / or a target cooling time. For example, the control unit (1900) can provide an interface that prompts the user to set a target cooling temperature and / or a target cooling time through the output unit (1800), receive a setting input signal according to the user's operation through the input unit (1700), and set the target cooling temperature and / or the target cooling time based on the received setting input signal.

[0106] After that, the control unit (1900) outputs a message indicating to the user that operation preparation is complete through the output unit (1800), receives a switch-on input signal according to the user's operation through the input unit (1700), and can spray a coolant based on the received switch-on input signal.

[0107] While the coolant is being sprayed, the control unit (1900) can obtain a temperature value by measuring the temperature of the target area where the coolant is sprayed through the sensor unit (1600), and compare the obtained temperature value with the set target cooling temperature to control the temperature controller (1300). At this time, the control unit (1900) can increase the thermal energy applied to the coolant through the temperature controller (1300) if the obtained temperature value is lower than the target cooling temperature, and can reduce the thermal energy applied to the coolant through the temperature controller (1300) if the obtained temperature value is higher than the target cooling temperature.

[0108] The operation of the coolant injection device (1000) is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the coolant injection device (1000) operates by continuously providing a certain amount of thermal energy to the coolant without monitoring the temperature of the target area, thereby controlling the temperature of the coolant within a certain range. In this case, the step of setting or receiving the target cooling temperature may be omitted.

[0109]

[0110] [Method for controlling a coolant injection device]

[0111] Hereinafter, a method for controlling a coolant injection device (1000) will be described. More specifically, a method for controlling the temperature of a coolant injected into a target area so that the surface temperature of the target area reaches a target cooling temperature will be described. The temperature of the coolant injected into the target area can be controlled by the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant via a temperature controller (1300).

[0112] For convenience of explanation, the temperature controller (1300) is described below as including a thermoelectric element and producing thermal energy corresponding to an applied voltage value or current value, but the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0113] When the temperature controller (1300) includes a thermoelectric element, as described below, the thermal energy applied to the coolant is controlled by controlling the magnitude of the voltage or the magnitude of the current applied to the temperature controller (1300), and thereby the temperature of the coolant sprayed to the target area is controlled, so that the surface temperature of the target area can be controlled to a specific temperature.

[0114] <Existing coolant injection device control method>

[0115] A feedback control method may be used to control a temperature controller (1300) to maintain the surface temperature of a target area at a target cooling temperature. For example, the following PID (Proportional Integral Differential) control equation may be used to calculate a voltage value or current value applied to the temperature controller (1300).

[0116]

[0117] Here, P(t) refers to the size of the signal applied to the temperature controller (1300), which may refer to a voltage value, a current value, a square value of voltage, or a power value. In addition, error(t) refers to a difference value between the cooling target temperature and the surface temperature of the target area measured by the sensor unit (1600), and Cp, Ci, and Cd may refer to gain values ​​or gains selected during the tuning process.

[0118] Using the above PID control operation formula, the voltage value or current value to be applied to the temperature controller (1300) can be calculated in real time, and the difference between the target cooling temperature and the surface temperature of the target area can be reduced to a negligible level as time passes.

[0119] Meanwhile, each term in the above control operation formula may be omitted and P control, PI control, and PD control methods may be used.

[0120] The above feedback control method can be utilized during the process of injecting the coolant. For example, the voltage or current value applied to the temperature controller (1300) can be determined through the feedback control method from the time when the coolant injection is initiated by the flow controller (1400).

[0121] At this time, the time it takes for the surface temperature of the target area to reach the target cooling temperature, i.e., the cooling rate, may change depending on the timing of the feedback control method. For example, when comparing a case where the temperature controller (1300) is controlled through feedback control from the time coolant injection is initiated and a case where feedback control is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed from the time coolant injection is initiated, the latter may have a faster cooling rate.

[0122] This means that when the coolant is injected, the temperature of the coolant is relatively lowered (e.g., approximately -78°C to -50°C) due to the expansion of the coolant as described above, and thus the target area can be rapidly cooled. If feedback control is used at the time of initiation of coolant injection, power is applied to the temperature controller (1300) based on the difference between the surface temperature of the target area and the target cooling temperature, and thus heat energy is transferred to the coolant, so that the temperature of the coolant injected into the target area also becomes higher than in the case where feedback control is not performed. Therefore, the later the time at which feedback control is performed from the time of initiation of coolant injection, the faster the surface temperature of the target area can reach the target cooling temperature.

[0123] As described above, in order to increase the cooling speed, a control method may be proposed in which voltage or current is not applied at the beginning of coolant injection when controlling the temperature controller (1300), and voltage or current is applied to the temperature controller (1300) through a feedback control method when the feedback control initiation condition is satisfied.

[0124] Here, the feedback control initiation condition can be satisfied, for example, when a control threshold time has elapsed from the coolant injection initiation time or when the surface temperature of the target area becomes lower than the control threshold temperature.

[0125] Figure 3 illustrates the change in surface temperature of a target area when feedback control is performed after a certain period of time from the start of coolant injection. Referring to Figure 3, from the time coolant injection is initiated until the time feedback control is initiated, the surface temperature rapidly decreases as the coolant is injected, drawing a steep curve. After the time feedback control is initiated, the surface temperature graph draws a relatively gentle curve and converges to the target cooling temperature.

[0126] <The need to ensure control safety>

[0127] Meanwhile, a control method that does not provide thermal energy to the coolant during the initial stage of coolant injection (e.g., for a preset time from the start of coolant injection) may cause damage to the target area in special environments.

[0128] Below, with reference to Fig. 4, the problems of the aforementioned control method in a special environment are described.

[0129] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case where the surface temperature of a target area reaches a temperature that causes irreversible damage when cooling a target area according to one embodiment.

[0130] Referring to Fig. 4, the temperature of the space where the cartridge (2000) is stored may be relatively high. Also, referring to Fig. 4, the temperature of the space where the cooling process is performed may be relatively low.

[0131] First, if the temperature of the space where the cartridge (2000) is stored is relatively high, the internal pressure of the cartridge (2000) may also become relatively high. As the internal pressure of the cartridge (2000) increases, the temperature of the coolant sprayed from the coolant spray device (1000) may decrease.

[0132] When a cartridge (2000) having a high internal pressure is used and, as described above, no thermal energy is applied to the coolant for a certain period of time from the start of coolant injection, the coolant at an excessively low temperature may be injected into the target area. Accordingly, the surface temperature of the target area may be excessively low before feedback control begins. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the surface temperature of the target area may become lower than a temperature that causes irreversible damage, thereby causing irreversible damage to the target area.

[0133] Meanwhile, even when the temperature of the space where the cooling process is performed is relatively low, the target area can be excessively cooled. The coolant sprayed onto the target area can expand and cool down, but its temperature can then increase due to the outside air before reaching the target area. This is because the outside air temperature is higher than the sprayed coolant, and when the sprayed coolant comes into contact with the outside air, heat from the outside air is transferred to the coolant.

[0134] The lower the temperature of the space where the cooling process is performed, i.e., the smaller the temperature difference between the outside air temperature and the injected coolant temperature, the less heat is transferred from the outside air to the injected coolant, allowing a relatively low-temperature coolant to be injected into the target area. Similarly, when the temperature of the space where the cooling process is performed is low, a relatively low-temperature coolant is injected into the target area compared to when the temperature is high. Consequently, the temperature of the target area may drop excessively, causing irreversible damage.

[0135] A special environment in which the two exemplary situations described above occur simultaneously can be considered. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a special environment may be created in which the cartridge (2000) is stored in a warehouse at approximately 40°C due to reasons such as a hot country or a season with high temperatures, and the space where the cooling treatment is performed is air-conditioned and maintained at approximately 20°C. In this case, the internal pressure of the cartridge (2000) increases, so the injected coolant has a relatively low temperature. Since the temperature difference between the injected coolant and the outside temperature is not large, the temperature of the injected coolant does not increase, but is maintained at a relatively low temperature and reaches the target area. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the surface temperature of the target area may already reach a temperature that causes irreversible damage before feedback control is performed, which may cause irreversible damage to the target area (e.g., pigmentation due to melanocyte destruction, nerve damage, etc.).

[0136] In the above, special environments according to the internal pressure or external temperature of the cartridge (2000) have been described, but other special environments in which irreversible damage may occur may also be created by other variables, such as the temperature of the tube through which the coolant moves in the coolant injection device (1000).

[0137] Below, a control method for controlling the temperature of the coolant to prevent irreversible damage in special environments is described.

[0138] <Step-by-step control method>

[0139] In order to prevent irreversible damage due to the special environment described in FIG. 4, an initial heating method needs to be performed to apply a certain level of thermal energy to the coolant before feedback control is performed after the coolant injection is initiated. By performing the initial heating method, the temperature of the coolant reaching the target area can be controlled to a certain level or higher. Accordingly, the change in the surface temperature of the target area is kept below a certain value for a certain period of time from the start of the coolant injection, thereby preventing the surface temperature of the target area from becoming excessively low before feedback control.

[0140] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a temperature control method combining an initial heating method and a feedback control method is described in more detail.

[0141] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a method for designing a temperature control method according to one embodiment.

[0142] The temperature control method can be divided into initial heating, which applies a certain level of heat energy to the coolant from the time of coolant injection initiation until a certain condition is satisfied, and feedback control, which applies heat energy to the coolant using the aforementioned feedback control method. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 5, the section in which the coolant is injected can be divided into an initial heating section (P1) in which initial heating is performed and a feedback control section (P2) in which feedback control is performed.

[0143] In the initial heating section (P1), a certain level of thermal energy may be applied to the coolant by the temperature controller (1300). Specifically, the controller (1900) may apply voltage, current, or power in a specific pattern to the temperature controller (1300) to apply thermal energy to the coolant. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the controller (1900) may apply a certain amount of voltage or a certain amount of current to the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating section (P1). As another example, the controller (1900) may apply voltage or current to the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating section (P1), but the magnitude of the applied voltage or current may gradually increase according to an increasing function or gradually decrease according to a decreasing function. For another example, the controller (1900) may not apply voltage or current to the temperature controller (1300) for a preset waiting time from the start of the initial heating section (P1), and may apply a voltage or current of a certain magnitude after the preset waiting time has elapsed. For another example, the controller (1900) may apply a voltage or current of a certain magnitude to the temperature controller (1300) at a certain cycle in the initial heating section (P1). There are various methods for applying voltage, current, or power to the temperature controller (1300) to apply thermal energy to the coolant in the initial heating section (P1), and are not limited to the examples described above.

[0144] The initial heating method can be performed from the start of coolant injection until a certain condition is satisfied, which may coincide with the aforementioned feedback control initiation condition. For example, the initial heating method may be performed until a preset time elapses from the start of coolant injection. In another example, the initial heating method may be performed until the surface temperature of the target area reaches a preset temperature.

[0145] After the initial heating section (P1), in the feedback control section (P2), voltage or current may be applied to the temperature controller (1300) according to feedback control. The feedback control method is omitted as it has been described above.

[0146] According to the initial heating method described above, the rate at which the surface temperature of the target area decreases as the coolant is sprayed can be slowed down compared to when the initial heating method is not performed, thereby preventing the target area from being excessively cooled.

[0147] However, as the thermal energy applied to the coolant in the initial heating section (P1) increases, the time it takes for the surface temperature of the target area to reach the target cooling temperature may increase. Specifically, in the initial heating section (P1), heat may be transferred from the temperature controller (1300) to the coolant, and the more heat transferred, the slower the cooling rate may be. Consequently, to prevent excessive cooling of the target area, the higher the temperature of the coolant injected in the initial heating section (P1), the longer the cooling rate, which may create a mutually exclusive relationship between the safety and speed of the procedure.

[0148] Meanwhile, the speed of cooling procedures is directly related to shortening procedure time and increasing operator convenience, and should be addressed equally as importantly as the safety of cooling procedures. Therefore, a temperature control method that considers both speed and safety of cooling procedures is necessary. The following describes the step-by-step control method with reference to Figure 6.

[0149] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the temperature control method is described as a combination of the aforementioned initial heating method and the feedback control method, and the initial heating method is described as applying a voltage of a certain size or a current of a certain size to the temperature controller (1300) for a certain period of time, but the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can be similarly applied when using other initial heating methods.

[0150] The cooling rate at which the target area is cooled can be determined by the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant during the initial heating period (P1). Specifically, assuming that the cooling process is performed on a substantially identical target in a substantially identical environment, the greater the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant during the initial heating period (P1), the longer it takes for the surface temperature of the target area to reach the cooling target temperature, which can slow down the cooling rate.

[0151] Here, the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant may correspond to the heat generation amount of the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating section (P1). In addition, since the heat generation amount of the temperature controller (1300) may correspond to the amount of power applied to the temperature controller (1300), the amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant in the initial heating section (P1) may correspond to the amount of power applied to the temperature controller (1300).

[0152] The amount of heat energy described above can be controlled according to the voltage, current, or power applied to the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating section (P1). Specifically, the greater the voltage or current applied to the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating section (P1), or the longer the length of the initial heating section (P1), the greater the amount of heat energy applied to the coolant.

[0153] As the heat generation amount of the temperature controller (1300) is controlled in the initial heating section (P1), a step-by-step control method can be designed as described below.

[0154] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing how the surface temperature of a target area changes depending on the type of control method according to one embodiment. Fig. 6 (a) is a graph showing how the surface temperature changes over time depending on the type of control method, and Fig. 6 (b) is a diagram showing the initial cooling rate depending on the type of control method.

[0155] The graph illustrated in (a) of FIG. 6 can be understood as performing a cooling treatment on a substantially identical target in a substantially identical environment with only a different control method. Here, the substantially identical environment may mean that the temperature of the space where the cooling treatment is performed, the temperature of the space where the cartridge (2000) is stored before the cooling treatment, the temperature or internal pressure of the cartridge (2000) immediately before the cooling treatment, and / or the temperature of the target area before the cooling treatment are each within a specific range. In addition, the substantially identical target may mean a target area within the same body part, or may mean an experimental artificial skin manufactured substantially identically.

[0156] Referring to Fig. 6, a first control method, a second control method, and a third control method can be designed depending on the amount of heat energy applied in the initial heating section (P1).

[0157] The first to third control methods may be understood as performing the initial heating method and the feedback control method, but at least one of the magnitude of the voltage, current, or power applied to the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating section (P1) and the feedback control initiation condition is different.

[0158] First, the first control method may have a greater voltage, current, or power applied to the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating section (P1) than the second or third control methods. Alternatively, the first control method may have a greater amount of thermal energy applied to the coolant per unit time than the second or third control methods. Accordingly, when cooling a substantially identical target in a substantially identical environment, the first control method may have a slower initial cooling speed than the second or third control methods.

[0159] Here, the initial cooling rate may refer to an average cooling rate over a short period of time based on the start time of coolant injection. Specifically, the initial cooling rate may refer to a value obtained by dividing the difference between the first surface temperature of the target area at a first time point when coolant injection is initiated and the second surface temperature of the target area at a second time point after a preset initial time (Ti) has elapsed from the first time point by the initial time (Ti).

[0160] Here, the initial time (Ti) refers to the time required to calculate the initial cooling rate. Therefore, the initial time (Ti) may be relatively short. For example, the initial time (Ti) may be shorter than the time required for the surface temperature of the target area to reach the target cooling temperature (e.g., -5°C to 5°C) after the coolant injection is initiated in a controlled environment (e.g., the ambient temperature and the temperature of the cartridge (2000) are maintained at room temperature, and the surface temperature of the target area before the coolant injection is about 36.5°C). The initial time (Ti) may be determined within 1 second, for example, and preferably within 0.5 seconds, but is not limited thereto.

[0161] Referring to (b) of FIG. 6, it can be seen that the surface temperature change amount during the initial time (Ti) is smaller in the first control method than in the second or third control methods. This is because the magnitude of the voltage, current, or power applied to the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating section (P1) in the first control method is larger than in the second or third control methods.

[0162] The second control method may have different feedback control initiation conditions than the third control method. For example, if the feedback control initiation condition is a first time lapse from the start of coolant injection in the second control method and a second time lapse from the start of coolant injection in the third control method, the first time lapse may be shorter than the second time. For another example, if the feedback control initiation condition is a target temperature of the target area reaching a first temperature in the second control method and a target temperature of the target area reaching a second temperature in the third control method, the first temperature may be higher than the second temperature.

[0163] Accordingly, when performing a cooling treatment on a substantially identical target in a substantially identical environment, the feedback control initiation time in the second control method may be earlier than the feedback control initiation time in the third control method based on the coolant injection initiation time.

[0164] In the initial heating section (P1), the magnitude of the voltage, current, or power applied to the temperature controller (1300) according to the second control method may be substantially the same as the magnitude of the voltage, current, or power applied to the temperature controller (1300) according to the third control method. Alternatively, the amount of heat energy applied to the coolant per unit time in the initial heating section (P1) may be substantially the same in the second control method and the third control method.

[0165] Meanwhile, when the coolant injection device (1000) operates according to the second control method, the time at which voltage, current, or power is applied to the temperature controller (1300) may be earlier than when the coolant injection device (1000) operates according to the third control method. For example, when the coolant injection device (1000) operates according to the second control method, the first waiting time from the time at which coolant injection is initiated by the flow controller (1400) to the time at which voltage, current, or power is applied to the temperature controller (1300) may be shorter than the second waiting time from the time at which coolant injection is initiated by the flow controller (1400) to the time at which voltage, current, or power is applied to the temperature controller (1300) when the coolant injection device (1000) operates according to the third control method.

[0166] Referring to (a) and (b) of FIG. 6, the initial cooling rates in the second control method and the third control method are substantially the same, but the times at which the surface temperature of the target area reaches the target cooling temperature may be different from each other.

[0167] When comparing the cooling speeds, the cooling speeds can become faster in the order of the first control method, the second control method, and the third control method. In other words, the time it takes for the surface temperature of the target region to reach the target cooling temperature can be reduced in the order of the first control method, the second control method, and the third control method. Referring to (a) of Fig. 6, when a cooling procedure is performed on a substantially identical target in a substantially identical environment, the time it takes for the surface temperature of the target region to reach the cooling target temperature is a first arrival time (a) for the first control method, a second arrival time (b) for the second control method, and a third arrival time (c) for the third control method, where the first arrival time (a) is shorter than the second arrival time (b), and the second arrival time (b) is shorter than the third arrival time (c).

[0168] Meanwhile, considering the safety of the procedure, the third control method, the second method, and the first control method can be understood to be safer in that order. This is because the first control method has a slower initial cooling rate than the second or third control methods, making it less likely that the surface temperature of the target area will reach the temperature that causes irreversible damage. Furthermore, the second control method initiates feedback control earlier than the third control method, making it less likely that the surface temperature of the target area will reach the temperature that causes irreversible damage.

[0169] Although the first to third control methods have been described above, various control methods may exist depending on the amount of heat energy transferred from the temperature controller (1300) to the coolant in the initial heating section (P1) or the amount of heat energy per unit time, and on the feedback control initiation conditions. These control methods may be distinguished from each other based on the initial cooling rate and / or the time it takes for the target cooling temperature of the target region to be reached. For example, multiple control methods may be step-by-step assigned based on the initial cooling rate, which may mean that the control methods are designed for each step.

[0170] <Utilizing step-by-step control method>

[0171] Hereinafter, a cooling speed control method for controlling a coolant injection device (1000) using a step-by-step control method will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0172] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a case in which a cooling speed control method is designed using the first to third control methods described in FIG. 6 is described, but the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and at least one other control method may be further used in addition to the first to third control methods.

[0173] The cooling rate control method basically determines the control method of the temperature controller (1300) in the next shot by using information from the previous shot. For example, the control method in the current shot can be determined by comparing the initial cooling rate and the critical range in the previous shot, and the control method in the next shot can be determined by comparing the initial cooling rate and the critical range in the current shot.

[0174] Here, the criterion of a shot may refer to an operation from the start of coolant injection to the end of the injection. Specifically, a single shot may be defined from the operation in which the flow controller (1400) is controlled to start coolant injection to the operation in which the flow controller (1400) is controlled to stop coolant injection. However, the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and shots may also be distinguished based on the power on / off of the coolant injection device (1000), the point in time when the target cooling temperature setting is changed, and / or the point in time when the target cooling time is changed.

[0175] Additionally, different shots may be performed against different target areas. For example, a first shot may be performed against a first target area, and a second shot may be performed against a second target area that is different from the first target area. However, it should be understood that different shots may also be performed against the same or substantially the same target area.

[0176] Additionally, different shots may be performed at different time intervals. For example, a first shot may be performed upon receipt of a first manipulation input during a first time interval, a second shot may be performed upon receipt of a second manipulation input during a second time interval, and the second time interval may begin after the end of the first time interval.

[0177] Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a cooling rate control method according to one embodiment.

[0178] Referring to FIG. 7, the cooling rate control method may include a step of receiving an operation input and injecting a coolant (S1100), a step of operating in a first control manner (S1200), a step of calculating an initial cooling rate (S1300), a step of determining a next control manner based on the initial cooling rate (S1400), and a step of receiving a next operation input and operating in the next determined control manner when injecting a coolant (S1500).

[0179] Meanwhile, the cooling rate control method described in FIG. 7 may be preceded by a step of turning on the power of the coolant injection device (1000) and a step of setting a target cooling temperature and / or a target cooling time. In other words, the cooling rate control method may be understood as being performed while the coolant injection device (1000) is preparing to start injecting the coolant.

[0180] Below, each step of the cooling rate control method is described in detail.

[0181] First, the coolant injection device (1000) can receive an operation input and inject coolant (S1100). For example, the controller (1900) can receive a first operation input from a user and control the flow controller (1400) to inject coolant. Here, the first operation input may be, for example, a motion to temporarily press a push button switch included in the input unit (1700).

[0182] The temperature controller (1300) can operate in a first control mode (S1200). Specifically, the controller (1900) can load a first control mode among multiple control modes stored in the memory of the coolant injection device (1000) and apply voltage, current, or power to the temperature controller (1300) according to the first control mode.

[0183] Here, the first control method can be understood as the safest control method among multiple control methods. For example, according to the first control method, the voltage, current, or power applied to the temperature controller (1300) in the initial heating period (P1) may be the largest compared to other control methods.

[0184] When cooling is performed on substantially the same target in substantially the same environment, the first control method may have the following characteristics when compared to other control methods.

[0185] According to the first control method, the amount of heat energy transferred to the coolant per unit time until the surface temperature of the target area reaches the target cooling temperature may be the greatest compared to other control methods. Alternatively, according to the first control method, the total amount of heat energy transferred to the coolant until the surface temperature of the target area reaches the target cooling temperature may be the greatest compared to other control methods.

[0186] According to the first control method, the amount of heat energy transferred to the coolant per unit time before feedback control begins may be the greatest compared to other control methods. Alternatively, according to the first control method, the total amount of heat energy transferred to the coolant before feedback control begins may be the greatest compared to other control methods.

[0187] Alternatively, according to the first control method, the amount of heat energy per unit time transferred to the coolant during the initial time (Ti) after the start of coolant injection may be the greatest compared to other control methods. Alternatively, according to the first control method, the total amount of heat energy transferred to the coolant during the initial time (Ti) after the start of coolant injection may be the greatest compared to other control methods.

[0188] Meanwhile, the amount of heat energy per unit time described above may correspond to the power applied to the temperature controller (1300), and the total amount of heat energy may correspond to the amount of power applied to the temperature controller (1300).

[0189] The first control method is the safest control method among the multiple control methods as described above, and can be understood as the basic control method for the coolant injection device (1000). The basic control method can be understood as a control method used when the coolant injection device (1000) is first operated, or when the control variable settings of the coolant injection device (1000) are changed or reset. In this way, since the safest first control method is used as the basic control method, safety for the subject can be secured regardless of the conditions of the environment in which the cooling treatment is performed.

[0190] Meanwhile, the point in time at which the temperature controller (1300) begins to be controlled by the first control method may be the point in time at which coolant injection begins. However, the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the controller (1900) may also control the temperature controller (1300) by loading the first control method before the point in time at which coolant injection begins. Specifically, when the first shot is performed within the first time interval, the temperature controller (1300) may be controlled according to the first control method during the first time interval. In other words, step S1200 may be performed not only while step S1100 is performed or after step S1100 is performed, but also before step S1100 is performed.

[0191] In the process of operating in the first control method, an initial cooling rate can be calculated (S1300). For example, in the first shot performed according to the first operation input, a first initial cooling rate for an initial time (Ti) from the start time of coolant injection can be calculated. More specifically, the controller (1900) can obtain a first surface temperature of a first target area corresponding to a first time point when coolant injection is initiated using the sensor unit (1600), obtain a second surface temperature of the first target area corresponding to a second time point when the initial time (Ti) has elapsed from the first time point, and calculate the first initial cooling rate by dividing the difference between the first surface temperature and the second surface temperature by the initial time (Ti).

[0192] Meanwhile, the method for calculating the initial cooling rate is not limited to the aforementioned method. For example, the initial cooling rate may be calculated based on a first point in time, a certain amount of time after the start of coolant injection, and a second point in time, an initial time (Ti), after the lapse of time.

[0193] Based on the initial cooling rate, the following control method can be determined (S1400).

[0194] For example, the controller (1900) can maintain or change the control mode based on the initial cooling rate and the critical range. Specifically, the controller (1900) can maintain the control mode if the initial cooling rate is within the critical range. Alternatively, the controller (1900) can change the control mode if the initial cooling rate is outside the critical range.

[0195] Here, the critical range is the range where the cooling rate exceeds a certain level while preventing irreversible damage to the target area. This range can be determined experimentally. The critical range can be defined by a lower critical limit and an upper critical limit. Furthermore, the critical range can be set differently for each shot. Alternatively, the critical range can be set differently depending on the current control method.

[0196] As another example, the controller (1900) can maintain or change the control method by considering the initial cooling rate and multiple critical ranges. Specifically, the critical ranges are predetermined for each control method and stored in memory, and the controller (1900) can determine the control method corresponding to the critical range within which the initial cooling rate falls as the next control method.

[0197] Meanwhile, when the control method is changed, if the current control method is the first control method, the control method to be changed may be the second control method. As described above, the second control method may have a faster cooling speed than the first control method and a slower cooling speed than the third control method. The change from the first control method to the second control method can be understood as an attempt to increase the cooling speed step by step, thereby preventing damage to the target area and allowing for a safer procedure. Meanwhile, if the current control method is the second control method, the control method to be changed is the first control method or the second control method, and if the current control method is the third control method, the control method to be changed is the second control method.

[0198] In the above, it has been described that the control method is determined using the initial cooling rate in step S1400, but the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the control method may also be determined using an initial temperature difference. Here, the initial temperature difference may be the difference between the first surface temperature of the target area corresponding to the first time point when the coolant injection is initiated and the second surface temperature of the target area corresponding to the second time point after the initial time (Ti) has elapsed from the first time point.

[0199] When receiving the following operation input and injecting the coolant, the coolant injection device (1000) may operate in the following control method determined in step S1400 (S1500). For example, if the first initial cooling rate calculated in the first shot is within the critical range, the controller (1900) may maintain the control method as the first control method, and apply voltage, current, or power to the temperature controller (1300) according to the first control method in the second shot after the first shot. Alternatively, the controller (1900) may change the control method to the second control method if the first initial cooling rate calculated in the first shot is outside the critical range, and apply voltage, current, or power to the temperature controller (1300) according to the second control method in the second shot after the first shot.

[0200] Based on the initial cooling rate calculated in the shot performed in step S1500, a control method corresponding to the next shot may be determined. For example, a control method in a second shot after the first shot may be determined based on the first initial cooling rate calculated in the first shot, and a control method in a third shot after the second shot may be determined based on the second initial cooling rate calculated in the second shot. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 7, step S1300 may be performed after step S1500, and steps S1300, S1400, and S1500 may be repeated for each shot. At this time, the first shot may be performed for the first target area, the second shot may be performed for the second target area, and the third shot may be performed for the third target area, and the first target area to the third target area may be basically different target areas. However, the first target area and the second target area may be substantially the same area, the second target area and the third target area may be substantially the same area, the third target area and the first target area may be substantially the same area, or the first target area to the third target area may be substantially the same area.

[0201] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8, a cooling rate control method will be described in more detail. In particular, examples comparing the initial cooling rate and the critical range described in FIG. 7 and cases in which the first control method, the second control method, and the third control method are each performed will be described. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that steps S1100, S1200, and S1300 described in FIG. 7 have been performed, and the steps performed after step S1300 will be described.

[0202] Referring to Fig. 8, it can first be determined whether the initial cooling rate has a value greater than the critical lower limit (S2100). For example, the controller (1900) can determine whether the first initial cooling rate in the first shot is greater than the critical lower limit. Here, the critical lower limit may refer to the lower limit of the aforementioned critical range.

[0203] If the initial cooling rate is greater than the lower critical limit, it can mean that the initial cooling rate is within the critical range and greater than the upper critical limit of the critical range. If the initial cooling rate is within the critical range, it should be maintained, because this can be understood as the first control method being an appropriate control method. On the other hand, if the initial cooling rate is greater than the upper critical limit, the cooling rate should be changed to a control method with a slower cooling rate. This means that the cooling rate is relatively fast. However, since the first control method corresponds to the control method with the slowest cooling rate, the control method should not be changed from the first control method even if the initial cooling rate is greater than the upper critical limit.

[0204] Therefore, if the current control method is the safest first control method, and the initial cooling rate is greater than the critical lower limit value, the coolant injection device (1000) can receive the next operation input and operate in the first control method when injecting the coolant (S2200).

[0205] On the other hand, if the initial cooling rate is less than the critical lower limit, it means that the cooling rate is relatively slow, so the control method should be changed to one with a faster cooling rate.

[0206] Therefore, if the current control method is the first control method, if the initial cooling rate is less than the critical lower limit value, the coolant injection device (1000) can receive the next operation input and operate in the second control method when injecting the coolant (S2300).

[0207] After step S2200 is performed, an initial cooling rate can be calculated (S2410). Step S2200 may refer to a process in which a new second shot is performed, and step S2410 may be understood as a step for calculating a second initial cooling rate in the second shot.

[0208] Similarly, after step S2300 is performed, an initial cooling rate can be calculated (S2420). Step S2300 may also refer to a process in which a new second shot is performed, and step S2420 may be understood as a step for calculating a second initial cooling rate in the second shot.

[0209] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 8, after step S2410 is performed, step S2100 may be performed again, whereas step S2500 may be performed after step S2420 is performed. This is because, in step S2410, the coolant injection device (1000) is controlled according to the first control method, whereas in step S2420, the coolant injection device (1000) is controlled according to the second control method. In other words, the algorithm for determining the control method in the next shot may vary depending on the control method by which the coolant injection device (1000) is currently controlled. If steps S2100 to S2300 are the first algorithm for determining the control method in the next shot, steps S2500 to S2900 described below may be understood as the second algorithm.

[0210] The second algorithm is structured as follows:

[0211] First, it can be determined whether the initial cooling rate is within a critical range (S2500). For example, the controller (1900) can determine whether the second initial cooling rate in the second shot is within the critical range.

[0212] If the initial cooling rate is within the critical range, the coolant injection device (1000) may receive the following operation input and operate in the second control mode when injecting the coolant (S2600). For example, if the second initial cooling rate in the second shot in which the temperature controller (1300) operates in the second control mode is within the critical range, the temperature controller (1300) may operate in the second control mode in the third shot following the second shot. This can be understood as maintaining the control mode because the initial cooling rate is within the appropriate range.

[0213] On the other hand, if the initial cooling rate is outside the critical range, it can be determined whether the initial cooling rate is less than the critical lower limit value (S2700). For example, the controller (1900) can determine whether the second initial cooling rate is less than the critical lower limit value.

[0214] If the initial cooling rate is less than the critical lower limit, the coolant injection device (1000) may operate in a third control mode when receiving the following operation input and injecting the coolant (S2800). For example, if the second initial cooling rate in the second shot in which the temperature controller (1300) operates in the second control mode is less than the critical lower limit, the temperature controller (1300) may operate in the third control mode in the third shot following the second shot. This can be understood as meaning that the temperature controller (1300) needs to be controlled in the third control mode, which has a faster cooling rate than the second control mode, because the initial cooling rate is slower than the appropriate rate.

[0215] Meanwhile, if the initial cooling rate is not less than the critical lower limit, the coolant injection device (1000) may operate in the first control mode when receiving the following operation input and injecting the coolant (S2900). For example, if the second initial cooling rate in the second shot in which the temperature controller (1300) operates in the second control mode is not within the critical range and not less than the critical lower limit (i.e., if the second initial cooling rate is greater than the critical upper limit), the temperature controller (1300) may operate in the first control mode in the third shot after the second shot. This can be understood as meaning that the temperature controller (1300) needs to be controlled in the first control mode, which has a cooling rate slower than the second control mode, because the initial cooling rate is faster than the appropriate rate.

[0216] Meanwhile, the time point for determining whether to change or maintain the control method may be between the time point at which the initial cooling rate is calculated in the previous shot and the start time of the current shot. For example, the control method of the temperature controller (1300) in the second shot following the first shot may be determined between the time point at which the first initial cooling rate is calculated in the first shot and the time point at which the coolant injection begins in the second shot. As another example, the control method of the temperature controller (1300) in the second shot following the first shot may be determined between the time point at which the first initial cooling rate is calculated in the first shot and the end time of the first shot.

[0217] In the above, the control method is described with emphasis on changing based on the previous shot, but the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0218] For example, the control method of the temperature controller (1300) may be determined based on the external temperature of the coolant injection device (1000) and / or the temperature of the cartridge (2000) for each shot. Specifically, the control method of the temperature controller (1300) may be determined based on various measured variables such as the external temperature immediately before the execution of each shot, the coolant temperature outside or inside the cartridge (2000), the internal pressure of the cartridge (2000), and the surface temperature of the target area. At this time, the control method of the temperature controller (1300) does not need to start with the first control method and sequentially change to the second control method and the third control method, and may start with the second control method or the third control method and then use the first control method for the subsequent shots. Meanwhile, when determining the control method based on the various measured variables described above, it goes without saying that the initial cooling rate in the previous shot described above may be further taken into consideration.

[0219] <Control with default control method when reset conditions are met>

[0220] Meanwhile, the control method of the coolant injection device (1000) needs to be controlled in the safest first control method depending on the case. Specifically, since the treatment environment may change after a certain period of time has passed since the first shot was performed using the coolant injection device (1000), or when the cartridge (2000) is replaced, or when the target cooling temperature or target cooling time is newly set, the coolant injection device (1000) needs to operate in the safest control method.

[0221] Below, the process of resetting the control method of the coolant injection device (1000) is described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0222] Referring to FIG. 9, the reset process may include a step of receiving an operation input and injecting a coolant (S3100), a step of operating in one of a plurality of control methods (S3200), a step of determining a next control method based on an initial cooling rate (S3300), a step of determining whether a reset condition is satisfied (S3400), a step of operating in the first control method when injecting a coolant according to the next operation input (S3500), and a step of operating in the next determined control method when injecting a coolant according to the next operation input (S3600).

[0223] Each step is described in detail below.

[0224] First, the coolant injection device (1000) can receive an operation input and inject coolant (S3100). Step S3100 is identically applicable to step S1100 of FIG. 7, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0225] The coolant injection device (1000) may operate in any one of a plurality of control methods. For example, the coolant injection device (1000) may operate in any one of the first to third control methods described above.

[0226] Based on the initial cooling rate, the next control method can be determined (S3300). For example, the controller (1900) can calculate the initial cooling rate in the shot performed in steps S3100 and S3200, and determine the control method corresponding to the next shot based on the calculated initial cooling rate. The method for determining the next control method can be applied in the same manner as the contents of step S1400 described in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the method for determining the next control method can be applied in the same manner as the contents of the first algorithm or the second algorithm described in FIG. 8.

[0227] Whether the reset condition is satisfied can be determined (S3400). For example, the controller (1900) determines whether the reset condition is satisfied, and depending on whether the reset condition is satisfied, step S3500 or step S3600 described below can be performed.

[0228] Reset conditions can include various conditions as follows:

[0229] For example, the reset condition may include a condition where the reset time has elapsed and the coolant is not injected. Specifically, the reset condition may include a condition where the reset time has elapsed based on the point in time when the flow controller (1400) blocks the movement of the coolant.

[0230] Here, the reset time can be determined within 60 seconds. Preferably, the reset time can be 30 seconds. The reset time can be determined based on the average time it takes for a user to replace a cartridge (2000). The cartridge (2000) replacement time can be experimentally derived. When replacing a cartridge (2000), the temperature change of the coolant may increase depending on the temperature or internal pressure of the new cartridge (2000). Therefore, the control method of the coolant injection device (1000) needs to be reset and set to the first control method, which is the safest control method.

[0231] As another example, the reset condition may include a condition in which the power of the coolant injection device (1000) is turned off. For example, if the power of the coolant injection device (1000) is turned off and then turned back on, the reset condition may be determined to be satisfied.

[0232] As another example, the reset condition may include a condition in which the state of the coolant injection device (1000) changes from the ready state. For example, if the coolant injection device (1000) enters the injection ready state in which it prepares to start injecting the coolant after the target cooling temperature and target cooling time are set, and then enters the variable setting state in which the target cooling temperature and target cooling time are set again, the reset condition may be determined to be satisfied. At this time, the coolant injection device (1000) may enter the variable setting state when an operation signal is received by the input unit (1700) in the injection ready state, and when the operation signal is received, the reset condition may be determined to be satisfied.

[0233] If any one of the aforementioned conditions is satisfied, the reset condition may be determined to be satisfied. However, the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the reset condition may include only one of the aforementioned conditions.

[0234] If the aforementioned reset condition is satisfied, the coolant injection device (1000) can operate in the first control mode when injecting coolant according to the following operation input (S3500). For example, if the control mode corresponding to the second shot is determined as the first control mode according to the first initial cooling rate in the first shot, if the reset condition is satisfied, the control mode of the coolant injection device (1000) in the second shot can be maintained as the first control mode. For another example, if the control mode corresponding to the second shot is determined as the second control mode or the third control mode according to the first initial cooling rate in the first shot, if the reset condition is satisfied, the coolant injection device (1000) can operate in the first control mode in the second shot.

[0235] If the reset condition is not satisfied, the coolant injection device (1000) may operate in the next control mode determined when injecting coolant according to the next operation input (S3600). Here, the next control mode determined may be understood as the next control mode determined in step S3300.

[0236] Meanwhile, step S3400 may be performed before step S3300. In this case, if the reset condition is satisfied in step S3400, step S3300 may be omitted, and if the reset condition is not satisfied in step S3400, step S3300 may be performed and then step S3600 may be performed.

[0237] The features, structures, effects, etc. described in the embodiments above are included in at least one embodiment of the present specification, and are not necessarily limited to just one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, etc. exemplified in each embodiment can be combined or modified in other embodiments by a person skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain. Therefore, the contents related to such combinations and modifications should be construed as being included within the scope of the present specification.

[0238] In addition, although the above description focuses on the embodiments, these are merely examples and do not limit the technical idea of ​​the present specification, and those with ordinary skill in the art to which this specification pertains will recognize that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiments. In other words, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. In addition, differences related to such modifications and applications should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present specification defined in the appended claims.

[0239] -

Claims

1. In a coolant injection device that injects coolant so that the temperature of the target area is maintained at the target temperature, A flow regulator configured to allow or block the injection of the coolant; A nozzle having an orifice of a preset size and providing a passage through which the coolant passing through the flow regulator is sprayed to the outside; A temperature controller arranged within the coolant injection device and configured to transfer heat energy to the coolant, wherein the temperature controller includes a heat transfer portion providing a passage through which the coolant moves and a heating portion configured to heat the heat transfer portion; A temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of an area including at least a portion of the target area when the coolant injection device injects coolant toward the target area; and a controller configured to control at least the flow controller and the temperature controller; The above controller controls the flow regulator so that the coolant is sprayed when a trigger input is received, i) When the above coolant injection is initiated, the temperature controller is controlled according to an initial control mode selected from among a plurality of pre-stored initial control modes, ii) When a preset condition is satisfied, feedback control is initiated to control the temperature controller based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the target temperature, The above initial control mode is, In the coolant injection performed according to a past trigger input input prior to the above trigger input, the initial cooling rate is selected based on the initial cooling rate calculated for at least a portion of the time interval prior to initiating the feedback control, The above-mentioned pre-stored plurality of initial control modes include at least a second initial control mode and a first initial control mode providing a greater amount of heat energy than the second initial control mode. Coolant injection device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above controller, Receiving a first trigger input, controlling the flow controller in a first time interval to inject the coolant, Controlling the temperature controller using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the first time interval, Controlling the flow controller to inject the coolant in a second time period based on a second trigger input received after the first time period; If the first initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the second initial control mode and the feedback control in the second time interval, The first initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor during at least a portion of the time period during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the first initial control mode, The amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller according to the second initial control mode is less than the amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller according to the first initial control mode. Coolant injection device.

3. In paragraph 2, The above controller, Controlling the flow controller to inject the coolant in a third time period based on a third trigger input received after the second time period; If the second initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the third initial control mode and the feedback control in the third time interval, The second initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor during at least a portion of the time period during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode, The amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller according to the third initial control mode is less than the amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller according to the second initial control mode. Coolant injection device.

4. In paragraph 2, The above controller, Controlling the flow controller to inject the coolant in a third time period based on a third trigger input received after the second time period; If the second initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the third initial control mode and the feedback control in the third time interval. The second initial cooling rate is calculated by using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor during at least a portion of the time period during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode, In the second time interval, the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes the first temperature, In the third time period, the temperature controller is controlled according to the third initial control mode until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Coolant injection device.

5. In paragraph 2, The above controller, Controlling the flow controller to inject the coolant in a third time period based on a third trigger input received after the second time period; If the second initial cooling rate exceeds the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the third time interval, The second initial cooling rate is calculated by using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor during at least a portion of the time period during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode. Coolant injection device.

6. In paragraph 1, The above controller, Receiving a first trigger input, controlling the flow controller in a first time interval to inject the coolant, Controlling the temperature controller using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the first time interval, Controlling the flow controller to inject the coolant in a second time period based on a second trigger input received after the first time period; If the first initial cooling rate exceeds the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the second time interval, The first initial cooling rate is calculated by using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor in the time interval controlled by the temperature controller according to the first initial control mode. Coolant injection device.

7. In paragraph 1, The above controller, Receiving a first trigger input, controlling the flow controller in a first time interval to inject the coolant, Controlling the temperature controller using at least the first initial control mode and the feedback control in the first time interval, Controlling the flow controller to inject the coolant in a second time period based on a second trigger input received after the first time period; If the first initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the second initial control mode and the feedback control in the second time interval, The first initial cooling rate is calculated by using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor during at least a portion of the time period during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the first initial control mode, The temperature controller controlled according to the second initial control mode does not produce heat energy until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes the first temperature. Coolant injection device.

8. In paragraph 7, The above controller, Controlling the flow controller to inject the coolant in a third time period based on a third trigger input received after the second time period; If the second initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, the temperature controller is controlled using at least the third initial control mode and the feedback control in the third time interval, The second initial cooling rate is calculated by using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor during at least a portion of the time period during which the temperature controller is controlled according to the second initial control mode, The temperature controller controlled according to the third initial control mode does not produce heat energy until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Coolant injection device.

9. In paragraph 8, The first temperature and the second temperature are determined based on the target temperature. Coolant injection device.

10. In paragraph 1, The above initial cooling rate is calculated using the first measurement value and the second measurement value, The above first measurement value is a value measured by the temperature sensor at the first point in time when the past trigger input is received and the injection of the coolant is initiated, The second measurement value is a value measured by the temperature sensor at a second point in time after an initial time has elapsed from the first point in time. Coolant injection device.

11. In paragraph 1, If the above trigger input is the first trigger input input after the coolant injection device is reset or switched on, The controller controls the temperature controller using the default initial control mode and the feedback control among the plurality of initial control modes, The amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller before the feedback control is performed is the greatest when controlled according to the default initial control mode among the plurality of initial control modes. Coolant injection device.

12. In paragraph 1, If the above trigger input is received after a critical time from the point in time when the coolant injection by the coolant injection device is stopped, The controller controls the temperature controller using the default initial control mode and the feedback control among the plurality of initial control modes, The amount of heat energy produced by the temperature controller before the feedback control is performed is the greatest when controlled according to the default initial control mode among the plurality of initial control modes. Coolant injection device.

13. In a coolant injection device that injects coolant so that the temperature of the target area is maintained at the target temperature, A flow regulator configured to allow or block the injection of the coolant; A nozzle having an orifice of a preset size and providing a passage through which the coolant passing through the flow regulator is sprayed to the outside; A temperature controller arranged within the coolant injection device and configured to transfer heat energy to the coolant, wherein the temperature controller includes a heat transfer portion providing a passage through which the coolant moves and a heating portion configured to heat the heat transfer portion; A temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of an area including at least a portion of the target area when the coolant injection device injects coolant toward the target area; a controller configured to control the operation of at least the flow controller and the temperature controller; The above controller, Control the flow controller to spray the coolant in a first time interval by receiving a first trigger input; In the first time section, after controlling the temperature controller to produce a certain amount of heat energy, feedback control is initiated to control the heat energy produced by the temperature controller based on the difference between the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the target temperature. Control the flow rate controller so that the coolant is injected in a second time period based on a second trigger input received after the first time period; If the first initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, the feedback control is initiated after the temperature controller is controlled not to produce heat energy in the second time period, The first initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor during at least a portion of a time period before the feedback control is initiated during the first time period. Coolant injection device.

14. In paragraph 13, The above controller, Control the flow controller so that the coolant is injected in a third time period based on a third trigger input received after the second time period; If the second initial cooling rate is below the threshold value, the feedback control is initiated after the temperature controller is controlled not to produce heat energy in the third time period. The second initial cooling rate is calculated using the temperature measured by the temperature sensor at at least one point in time before the feedback control is initiated during the second time period, In the second time interval, the feedback control is initiated when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes the first temperature, In the third time interval, the feedback control is initiated when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor becomes a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Coolant injection device.

15. In paragraph 14, The first temperature and the second temperature are determined based on the target temperature. Coolant injection device.

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