Aerosol-generating device

Abstract

According to an aspect, an aerosol generating device comprises: a power supply unit; a cartridge including a storage unit for storing an aerosol generation material, a liquid delivery means for absorbing the aerosol generation material, and a heater for receiving power from the power supply unit to heat the aerosol generation material absorbed by the liquid delivery means; a resistance detection unit for detecting a resistance value of the heater changed in accordance with heating of the heater; and a control unit for controlling the power supply unit to supply reference power to the heater, and determining depletion of the aerosol generation material absorbed by the liquid delivery means on the basis of a change in resistance of the heater while the reference power is supplied to the heater.

Description

Aerosol generating device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device, and more particularly, to an aerosol generating device capable of determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means.

[0002] Recently, there has been a growing demand for alternative methods that overcome the shortcomings of conventional cigarettes. For example, there is a growing demand for systems that generate aerosols by heating aerosol-generating materials using an aerosol-generating device, rather than by burning cigarettes to produce aerosol.

[0003] In such an aerosol generating system, if the aerosol generating substance is a liquid, the aerosol generating substance is stored in a storage unit, and a liquid delivery means is disposed within the storage unit to absorb the aerosol generating substance. In addition, a heater is disposed to surround the liquid delivery means to heat the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means to generate an aerosol. However, depending on the user's use, the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means may be exhausted, and if the liquid delivery means is heated with the same power even when the liquid delivery means is exhausted, this may result in user dissatisfaction due to a burnt taste and an off-flavor. Therefore, it is necessary to detect exhaustion of the liquid delivery means and control the power supplied to the heater accordingly.

[0004] The technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of detecting exhaustion of a liquid delivery means and controlling power supplied to a heater in response to exhaustion of the liquid delivery means.

[0005] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems can be inferred from the following examples.

[0006] An aerosol generating device according to one aspect includes a cartridge including a power supply unit, a storage unit for storing an aerosol generating substance, a liquid delivery means for absorbing the aerosol generating substance, and a heater for receiving power from the power supply unit and heating the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means, a resistance detection unit for detecting a resistance value of the heater that varies according to heating of the heater, and a control unit for controlling the power supply unit to supply reference power to the heater, and determining depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a change in resistance of the heater while the reference power is supplied to the heater.

[0007] The aerosol generating device of the present disclosure determines the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means based on the resistance of the heater, so that a separate configuration for determining the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means is not required, and thus, manufacturing costs are reduced and product miniaturization is possible.

[0008] In addition, since the aerosol generating device determines the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means based on the rate of change in the resistance of the heater rather than the absolute value of the heater resistance, there is no need to compensate for manufacturing heater deviation for exhaustion determination, and exhaustion of the liquid delivery means can be determined more accurately.

[0009] Additionally, the aerosol generating device can control power according to the exhaustion of the liquid delivery medium, thereby increasing user satisfaction by reducing burnt taste and odor.

[0010] Meanwhile, if the storage unit storing the aerosol-generating substance is depleted, the liquid delivery means can no longer absorb the aerosol-generating substance. In this case, power control alone cannot resolve the depletion of the liquid delivery means. Therefore, the aerosol-generating device of the present disclosure can further enhance user satisfaction by determining the depletion of the storage unit and notifying the user of this.

[0011] In addition, the aerosol generating device can notify the user when the storage is depleted and request replacement of the storage, and the user can easily replace the storage to prevent carbonization of the liquid delivery means.

[0012] The effects of the invention are not limited to those exemplified above, and more diverse effects are included in this specification.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a portion of a circuit diagram illustrating a method for detecting resistance of a heater according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 is a drawing for explaining the change in resistance due to depletion of the liquid transmission means.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a method for determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means in a first detection section according to one embodiment and a power control method according to the same.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a method for determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means in a second detection section and a third detection section according to one embodiment and a power control method according to the same.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means in a first detection section according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means in a second detection section and a third detection section according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling power according to exhaustion of a liquid delivery means and a method for determining exhaustion of a storage unit in one embodiment.

[0023] An aerosol generating device according to one aspect includes a cartridge including a power supply unit, a storage unit for storing an aerosol generating substance, a liquid delivery means for absorbing the aerosol generating substance, and a heater for receiving power from the power supply unit and heating the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means, a resistance detection unit for detecting a resistance value of the heater that varies according to heating of the heater, and a control unit for controlling the power supply unit to supply reference power to the heater, and determining depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a change in resistance of the heater while the reference power is supplied to the heater.

[0024] In addition, the aerosol generating device further includes a puff detection unit for detecting a puff of a user, and the control unit determines the exhaustion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means in each puff section.

[0025] In addition, the control unit divides one puff section including a puff start time to a puff end time into a plurality of detection sections, and determines the exhaustion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a change in resistance of the heater in the first detection section from the puff start time to a first time.

[0026] Additionally, the control unit determines that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means has been exhausted when the resistance change per unit time of the heater in the first detection section is greater than the reference change.

[0027] In addition, the control unit divides one puff section including a puff start time to a puff end time into a first detection section from the puff start time to a first time and a plurality of subsequent detection sections after the first detection section, and determines the exhaustion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a change in the resistance of the heater in the plurality of subsequent detection sections.

[0028] In addition, the plurality of subsequent detection sections include a second detection section and a third detection section consecutive to the second detection section, and the control unit determines the exhaustion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a first change amount, which is a change amount of resistance per unit time of the heater in the second detection section, and a second change amount, which is a change amount of resistance per unit time of the heater in the third detection section.

[0029] Additionally, the control unit determines that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means in the third detection section is exhausted when the second change amount is greater than the first change amount.

[0030] Additionally, when the control unit determines that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means in the current detection section is exhausted, the control unit controls the power supply unit in a compensation section subsequent to the current detection section to provide compensation power less than the reference power to the heater.

[0031] In addition, the control unit determines that the depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means has been resolved when the resistance of the heater decreases in response to the compensation power in the compensation section, and controls the power supply unit to supply the reference power to the heater in a detection section consecutive to the compensation section.

[0032] Additionally, the control unit determines that the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage unit is depleted when the resistance of the heater increases in response to the compensation power in the compensation section.

[0033] Additionally, when the control unit determines that the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage unit has been exhausted, the control unit controls the power supply unit in a detection section subsequent to the compensation section to cut off power supplied to the heater.

[0034] In addition, the aerosol generating device further includes an output unit that outputs a state of the aerosol generating device, and when the control unit determines that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit has been exhausted, the control unit controls the output unit to output a state of exhaustion of the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0036] The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing specifications, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

[0037] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0039] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0040] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an aerosol generating device according to another embodiment.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aerosol generating device (1) may include a body (10) and a cartridge (18). The aerosol generating device (1) may include at least one of a power supply unit (11), a control unit (12), and a detection unit (13). At least one of the power supply unit (11), the control unit (12), and the detection unit (13) may be disposed inside the body (10). A cartridge (18), which is an aerosol generating article, may be mounted on the body (10). A user may inhale the aerosol by putting a mouthpiece provided at one end of the cartridge (18) in his / her mouth.

[0043] The cartridge (18) may contain an aerosol generating material in any one of a liquid, solid, gaseous, or gel state, within an internal chamber (C0). The aerosol generating material may comprise a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material including volatile tobacco flavoring components, or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material.

[0044] The cartridge (18) can be detachably coupled to the body (10). The cartridge (18) can be mounted on the body (10) by being inserted into the body (10).

[0045] The body (10) can be formed in a structure in which outside air can be introduced into the interior of the body (10) while the cartridge (18) is inserted. At this time, the outside air introduced into the body (10) can pass through the cartridge (18) and flow into the user's oral cavity through the airflow channel (CN).

[0046] The cartridge (18) may include a chamber (C0) containing an aerosol generating material and / or a heater (183) for heating the aerosol generating material in the chamber (C0). A liquid delivery means (182) impregnated with (contained by) the aerosol generating material may be disposed inside the chamber (C0). Here, the liquid delivery means (182) may include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, porous ceramic, etc. The electrically conductive track of the heater (183) may be formed in a coil-shaped structure that winds the liquid delivery means (182) or a structure that contacts one side of the liquid delivery means (182). The heater (183) may also be referred to as a cartridge heater.

[0047] The cartridge (18) can generate an aerosol. As the liquid delivery means (182) is heated by the heater (183), an aerosol can be generated. The generated aerosol can be inhaled into the user's oral cavity through the airflow channel (CN).

[0048] An airflow channel (CN) may be provided in the cartridge (18). The airflow channel (CN) may communicate with the chamber (C0) in which the heater (183) of the cartridge (18) is arranged and the outside of the cartridge. One end of the airflow channel (CN) may be opened to the chamber (C0) in which the heater (183) is arranged, and the other end may be communicated with the mouthpiece (19). For example, referring to FIG. 1, the airflow channel (CN) may extend in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge (18) from one side of the chamber (C0) of the cartridge (18). For example, referring to FIG. 2, the airflow channel (CN) may extend in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge (18) by penetrating the chamber (C0) of the cartridge (18).

[0049] The power supply unit (11) can supply power to the components of the aerosol generating device (1) to operate. The power supply unit (11) can include a battery (111 in FIG. 4). The power supply unit (11) can supply power to at least one of the control unit (12), the detection unit (13), and the heater (183).

[0050] The control unit (12) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (1). The control unit (12) can be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The control unit (12) can control the operation of at least one of the power supply unit (11), the detection unit (13), and the cartridge (18). The control unit (12) can control the operation of a display, a motor, etc. installed in the aerosol generating device (1). The control unit (12) can check the status of each component of the aerosol generating device (1) to determine whether the aerosol generating device (1) is in an operable state.

[0051] The control unit (12) can analyze the results detected by the detection unit (13) and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (183) so that the operation of the heater (183) is started or ended based on the results detected by the detection unit (13). For example, the control unit (12) can control the amount of power supplied to the heater (183) and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater (183) can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the detection unit (13).

[0052] The sensing unit (13) may include at least one of a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, and a movement detection sensor. For example, the sensing unit (13) may sense at least one of the temperature of the heater (183), the temperature of the power supply unit (11), and the temperature inside and outside the body (10). For example, the sensing unit (13) may sense the user's puff. For example, the sensing unit (13) may sense whether a cartridge is mounted. For example, the sensing unit (13) may sense the movement of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0053] Figure 3 is an internal block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device (1) may include at least one of a power supply unit (11), a cartridge (18), a detection unit (13), a control unit (12), a memory (14), an input unit (15), and an output unit (16). Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device (1) of the present disclosure may further include other general-purpose components in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include a communication unit (not illustrated) for communicating with an external device.

[0055] The power supply unit (11) supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the power supply unit (11) may supply power to at least one of the cartridge (18), the detection unit (13), the control unit (12), the memory (14), the input unit (15), and the output unit (16). The power supply unit (11) may include a battery (111 of FIG. 4) and a power conversion unit (112 of FIG. 4).

[0056] The battery (111) may be configured as a detachable battery that is detachably placed on the aerosol generating device (1). Alternatively, the battery (111) may be fixed to the aerosol generating device (1). In this case, the battery (111) may be a rechargeable or disposable battery. For example, the battery (111) may be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] The power conversion unit (112) includes a DC-DC converter that boosts or lowers direct current power, and the DC-DC converter can provide the converted power to the internal components of the aerosol generating device (1). When the heater (183) of the cartridge (18) is heated by induction heating, the power conversion unit (112) further includes a DC-AC converter, and the DC-AC converter can convert direct current power into alternating current power and provide it to the heater (183).

[0058] The cartridge (18) may include a storage unit (181), a liquid delivery means (182), and a heater (183).

[0059] The storage unit (181) can store an aerosol generating substance. When the chamber (C0) in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a function of storing an aerosol generating substance, the chamber (C0) in FIGS. 1 and 2 may have a configuration corresponding to the storage unit (181) in FIG. 3. At least one side of the storage unit (181) is open, and the opening can be in communication with the airflow channel (CN). The liquid delivery means (182) is disposed within the storage unit (181) and can be exposed to the aerosol generating substance stored in the storage unit (181).

[0060] The liquid delivery means (182) can absorb the aerosol generating material. In one embodiment, the liquid delivery means (182) can include a wick such as cotton fibers, ceramic fibers, glass fibers, and porous ceramics.

[0061] The heater (183) may be formed as a coil-shaped structure that winds the liquid transfer means (182) or a structure that contacts one side of the liquid transfer means (182). The heater (183) may be composed of an electric resistance heater or an induction heating heater.

[0062] When the heater (183) is configured as an electrical resistance heater, the heater (183) includes an electrically conductive track and can be resistively heated by power provided from the power supply (11).

[0063] When the heater (183) is configured as an induction heating heater, the heater (183) may include at least one of ferrite, a ferromagnetic alloy, stainless steel, and aluminum (Al). In addition, the heater (183) may include at least one of graphite, molybdenum, silicon carbide, niobium, a nickel alloy, a metal film, a ceramic such as zirconia, a transition metal such as nickel (Ni) or cobalt (Co), and a metalloid such as boron (B) or phosphorus (P). When the heater (183) is configured as an induction heating heater, the aerosol generating device (1) further includes an induction coil for inductively heating the heater (183), and the heater (183) may be heated by an induced magnetic field generated from the induction coil. At this time, the induction coil may be placed in the cartridge (18) or in the body (10).

[0064] The heater (183) can generate an aerosol by heating an aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182). The generated aerosol can be inhaled into the user's oral cavity through the airflow channel (CN).

[0065] The detection unit (13) can detect various status information of the aerosol generating device (1). The results detected by the detection unit (13) are transmitted to the control unit (12), and the control unit (12) can control the aerosol generating device (1) so that various functions such as controlling the operation of the heating unit, restricting smoking, determining whether or not a cartridge (18) is inserted, and displaying notifications are performed based on the detection results.

[0066] The detection unit (13) may include a resistance detection unit (161) and a puff detection unit (162).

[0067] The resistance detection unit (161) can detect a change in the resistance of the heater (183). When the heater (183) is composed of an electrically conductive track, the electrically conductive track may have a variable resistance depending on the temperature, and the resistance detection unit (161) can detect a resistance value according to the temperature change of the heater (183). For example, the resistance of the heater (183) may increase as the temperature increases, and the resistance detection unit (161) can output the resistance value of the heater (183) at a preset cycle or in real time and transmit it to the control unit (12). The resistance detection unit (161) includes a shunt resistor connected in series or in parallel with the heater (183), and the resistance detection unit (161) can output the resistance value of the heater (183) by estimating the resistance of the heater (183) from the resistance value of the shunt resistor. Alternatively, the resistance detection unit (161) may measure the resistance of the heater (183) itself. However, the resistance measurement method of the heater (183) is not limited to the examples described above, and various resistance measurement methods of the heater (183) can be applied.

[0068] The puff detection unit (162) can detect the user's puff. For this purpose, the puff detection unit (162) may include a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, an airflow sensor, a microphone, etc. However, the puff detection means is not limited to the above-described examples. The puff detection unit (162) can detect each puff separately. Each puff may appear as a continuous section from the puff start time to the puff end time, and the puff detection unit (162) may also count the number of puffs.

[0069] Meanwhile, the sensing unit (13) of FIG. 3 illustrates components related to the present embodiment. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment that, in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 3, other general-purpose components may be further included in the sensing unit (13). For example, the sensing unit (13) may further include a water detection sensor for detecting water inside and / or outside the aerosol generating device (1), a cartridge insertion detection sensor, a separate temperature sensor, and the like.

[0070] The memory (14) is a hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device (1), and the memory (14) can store data processed and data to be processed in the control unit (12). The memory can be implemented in various types such as random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), etc. In one embodiment, the memory (14) can store information on the reference power and compensation power supplied to the heater (183), or information on the detection section. In addition, the memory (14) can store a resistance change standard for each detection section of the heater (183).

[0071] The input unit (15) can receive user input. The input unit (15) can be implemented with a physical key and / or a touch sensor for receiving user input. Depending on the embodiment, the input unit (15) may be omitted, in which case the heating of the heater (183) may be possible through the user's suction. For example, the input unit (15) may include, but is not limited to, a button, a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

[0072] The output unit (16) may include a display that outputs visual information related to the aerosol generating device (1). In addition, the output unit (16) may include a motor that outputs tactile information related to the aerosol generating device (1). Here, the visual and tactile information related to the aerosol generating device (1) includes all information related to the operation of the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the output unit (16) may output information on the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) and / or information on the depletion of the storage unit (181). For this purpose, the output unit (16) may include a display and a haptic motor. The display may be a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) and an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED). Meanwhile, when the display and the touch pad form a layered structure to form a touch screen, the display may be used as an input device in addition to an output device. A haptic motor can provide tactile information to a user about an aerosol generating device (1) by converting an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus or an electrical stimulus.

[0073] The control unit (12) controls the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (1). In one embodiment, the control unit (12) may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present embodiment may be implemented as other types of hardware.

[0074] The control unit (12) can receive user input through the input unit (15) and control the power supplied to the heater (183) according to the user input. According to an embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) to control the power supplied to the heater (183) when the puff detection unit (162) detects the user's puff. In addition, the control unit (12) can control the output unit (16) to output information on the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) due to heating to the heater (183) and / or information on the exhaustion of the storage unit (181).

[0075] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) may be insufficient due to frequent puffs by the user, a decrease in the absorbency of the liquid delivery means (182), long-term non-use of the device, and exhaustion of the storage unit (181). If the liquid delivery means (182) is heated with the same power even when the substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means is insufficient, the liquid delivery means (182) may be carbonized, providing a burnt taste and an unpleasant odor to the user. In order to solve this problem, the present disclosure can detect in advance the insufficiency of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182), and control the power supplied to the heater (183) in response to the insufficiency of the aerosol generating substance. Meanwhile, the insufficiency in the present disclosure may mean a case where the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is less than a preset reference absorption amount, and may be used in the same meaning as exhaustion. For example, the reference absorption amount may be set to 9.16 mg.

[0076] Below, a method for detecting exhaustion of a liquid transfer means (182) and a power control method according to the same will be described.

[0077] FIG. 4 is a portion of a circuit diagram illustrating a method for detecting resistance of a heater according to one embodiment.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 4, the power supply unit (11) may include a battery (111) and a power conversion unit (112). The battery (111) may output direct current power. The power conversion unit (112) may include a DC-DC converter that boosts or lowers the direct current power, and the DC-DC converter may output the boosted or lowered direct current power. In FIG. 4, the converted direct current power output by the power conversion unit (112) is expressed as an input voltage (V) applied to the loads (R, Rs). The input voltage (V) is a constant voltage, and its magnitude may be adjusted by the control of the control unit (12).

[0079] An input current (I) can be applied to the heater (183) by the input voltage (V) output by the power conversion unit (112). The heater (183) can be formed of a material having a resistance temperature coefficient (α). Therefore, the resistance value (R) of the heater (183) can vary depending on the temperature. Meanwhile, the resistance value (R) of the heater (183) can also be referred to as a current resistance value (R) to distinguish it from the reference resistance (R0) of the heater (183) described later.

[0080] As the resistance value (R) of the heater (183) varies depending on the temperature, the input current (I) may also vary with respect to the constant input voltage (V). The resistance detection unit (161) includes a shunt resistor and can detect a change in the input current (I) through the shunt resistor. In addition, the resistance detection unit (161) can obtain the resistance value (R) of the heater (183) from the input current (I).

[0081] In Fig. 4, the shunt resistor is depicted as a resistive element having a shunt resistance value (Rs). In addition, in Fig. 4, the shunt resistor is depicted as being connected in series to the heater (183), but depending on the embodiment, the shunt resistor may be connected in parallel to the heater (183).

[0082] The shunt resistance has a constant value even when the temperature varies, and can be set to be much smaller than the resistance value (R) of the heater (183). For example, the shunt resistance value (Rs) can be set to be smaller than 1 / 10 times the resistance value (R) of the heater (183), but is not limited thereto. The purpose of setting the shunt resistance value (Rs) to be small is to minimize the power consumed by the shunt resistance that should be used for heating the heater (183).

[0083] A shunt resistor connected in series to the heater (183) can be used to detect the input current (I). The resistance detection unit (161) includes a voltmeter and can obtain the voltage (Vs) across the shunt resistor. Since the shunt resistance value (Rs) is constant regardless of temperature, the resistance detection unit (161) can obtain the input current (I) from the voltage (Vs) across the shunt resistor.

[0084] The voltage (Vh) across the heater (183) can be obtained by the difference between the input voltage (V) and the voltage (Vs) across the shunt resistor, and the resistance detection unit (161) can obtain the current resistance value (R) of the heater (183) based on the voltage (Vh) across the heater (183) and the input current (I).

[0085] Meanwhile, the current resistance value (R) of the heater (183) can also be used to estimate the temperature of the heater (183). The reference resistance (R0) of the heater (183) at the reference temperature (T0) and the current resistance value (R) of the heater (183) at the current temperature (T) can satisfy the following mathematical expression 1 when the resistance temperature coefficient is α.

[0086]

[0087] At this time, the reference temperature (T0) is 25°C, and the reference resistance (R0) may mean the resistance value of the heater (183) measured through repeated experiments at 25°C. The control unit (12) may also estimate the current temperature (T) of the heater (183) from the current resistance value (R) using mathematical expression 1. In this way, when the control unit (12) calculates the temperature of the heater (183) based on the resistance of the heater (183), a separate temperature sensor may not be required.

[0088] Figure 5 is a drawing for explaining the change in resistance due to depletion of the liquid transmission means.

[0089] Figure 5 shows a graph (410) of resistance change over time in one puff section (1 puff). In Figure 5, the x-axis represents time (sec) and the y-axis represents resistance (Ω).

[0090] Referring to FIG. 5, when the puff detection unit (162) detects a user's puff, the control unit (12) can supply a reference power to the heater (183) from the puff start time to the puff end time. For example, the puff start time to the puff end time can include a first time (t1) to a fourth time (t4), and each time can be set to 0.5 seconds. In addition, the reference power can be 7 W, but is not limited thereto.

[0091] The resistance of the heater (183) is proportional to the temperature, and when the heater (183) is supplied with reference power, the heater (183) is heated and the temperature increases, so the resistance of the heater (183) may also increase over time. The following description is based on the resistance of the heater (183), but the following description may also be applied to the temperature of the heater (183).

[0092] The resistance of the heater (183) may initially increase rapidly depending on the supply of reference power. Since the reference power supplied to the heater (183) is set based on a steady state in which the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is sufficient, even if the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted at the beginning of heating, if this reference power is supplied to the heater (183), the resistance of the heater (183) increases at a faster rate than the resistance of the heater (183) in a steady state. In one embodiment, when the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted at a first time (t1), the resistance of the heater (183) may increase at a faster rate than the reference change amount (rf1). The reference change amount (rf1) means the resistance change amount of the heater (183) per unit time, and thus the reference change amount (rf1) may be referred to as a reference change rate and a reference slope. At this time, the unit time may be the first time (t1). For example, the reference change amount can be set to, but is not limited to, 4 [Ω / sec].

[0093] Even when the reference power is supplied to the heater (183) from the second time (t2) to the fourth time (t4), the resistance change amount of the heater (183) from the second time (t2) to the fourth time (t4) may be smaller than the resistance change amount of the heater (183) from the first time (t1). This is because not only does the resistance increase rate decrease as the critical resistance of the heater (183) is reached, but also the liquid delivery means (182) absorbs the aerosol generating substance from the storage unit (181) in response to the heated aerosol generating substance. The critical resistance is set based on the maximum heating temperature of the heater (183) and may depend on the components of the heater (183). However, the liquid delivery means (182) may be temporarily or non-temporarily depleted due to frequent puffs by the user, a decrease in the absorption capacity of the liquid delivery means (182), and exhaustion of the storage unit (181). This depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) may occur continuously at the beginning of the puff, or may occur discontinuously at the beginning of the puff. Fig. 5 illustrates a portion of a graph (df1) in which the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) occurs discontinuously at the third time (t3) to the fourth time (t4) after the first time (t1) at the beginning of the puff.

[0094] In FIG. 5, when the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted from the third time (t3) to the fourth time (t4), the resistance of the heater (183) increases at a fast rate similar to the first time (t1), which is the initial heating section. In particular, since the material to be heated is less from the third time (t3) to the fourth time (t4), when the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted, than from the second time (t2) to the third time (t3), which is the previous heating section, the resistance of the heater (183) from the third time (t3) to the fourth time (t4) increases at a faster rate than from the second time (t2) to the third time (t3), which is the previous heating section. However, the resistance change slope of the heater (183) from the third time (t3) to the fourth time (t4) is smaller than the resistance slope of the heater (183) at the first time (t1). This is because not only does the rate of increase in resistance decrease as the critical resistance of the heater (183) is reached, but also, in response to the heated aerosol generating substance, the liquid delivery means (182) absorbs a smaller amount of aerosol generating substance from the storage unit (181) than in the normal state. Therefore, in the third time period (t3) to the fourth time period (t4), the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) cannot be determined based on the reference change amount (rf1) in the same manner as in the first time period (t1).

[0095] Meanwhile, if the same reference power is supplied to the heater (183) even though the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted in the initial puff section or a subsequent section after the initial puff section, the liquid delivery means (182) may be carbonized. In order to solve this problem, the present disclosure controls the power supplied to the heater (183) in response to exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182).

[0096] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a method for determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means in a first detection section according to one embodiment and a power control method according to the same.

[0097] In Fig. 6, a drawing (510) is shown in which the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) is resolved by providing compensation power to the heater (183) according to exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) in the first detection section (se1) at the beginning of the puff, and a drawing (520) is shown in which the exhaustion is not resolved.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 6, the method for determining exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) in the first detection section (se1) of the drawings (510) and (520) is the same.

[0099] In the drawings (510) and (520), the control unit (12) can divide one puff section (1 puff) including the puff start time to the puff end time into a plurality of detection sections (se1 to se4). The plurality of detection sections (se1 to se4, hereinafter referred to as se when there is no need for division) can include a first detection section (se1) from the puff start time to a first time (t1), a second detection section (se2) from the first time (t1) to a second time (t2), a third detection section (se3) from the second time (t2) to a third time (t3), and a fourth detection section (se4) from the third time (t3) to a fourth time (t4). Each detection section is set to the same length, and for example, each detection section can be set to 0.5 seconds, but is not limited thereto. FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which a plurality of detection sections (se) are divided into four, but depending on the user's puff length and settings, the plurality of detection sections (se) may include less than four or more than four detection sections.

[0100] In the first detection section (se1), which is the initial stage of the puff, there is no previous detection section, and in the initial stage of heating, due to the rapid temperature rise, the need to prevent carbonization of the liquid delivery means (182) is greater than in subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4). Therefore, the control unit (12) can determine the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) in a single detection section.

[0101] The control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the first detection section (se1) to supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183). The resistance detection unit (161) can detect a change in the resistance of the heater (183) in a state where the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183). The control unit (12) can determine the exhaustion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) based on the change in the resistance of the heater (183) in a state where the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183).

[0102] The control unit (12) can determine that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted if the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) is greater than the reference change (rf1) in the first detection section (se1). At this time, the unit time may be the first time (t1) as the length of the first detection section (se1). That is, the control unit (12) can determine whether the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted by linearly approximating the resistance change and the reference change and comparing them in the first detection section (se1). The reference change (rf1) means the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183), and therefore, the reference change (rf1) can be named as the reference change rate and the reference slope. For example, the reference change may be set to 4 [Ω / sec], but is not limited thereto. Therefore, in an embodiment where the reference change amount (rf1) is the reference slope, the control unit (12) can determine that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted when the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) is greater than the reference slope (provided that the reference slope is positive). In drawings (510) and (520), the control unit (12) can determine that the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted because the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) is greater than the reference slope (rf1) in the first detection section (se1).

[0103] In the drawings (510) and (520), if the control unit (12) determines that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) in the current detection section is exhausted, the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the compensation section subsequent to the current detection section to supply compensation power (w2) lower than the reference power (w1) to the heater (183). In FIG. 6, the current detection section corresponds to the first detection section (se1) in which exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) is detected, and the compensation section corresponds to the second detection section (se2) in which compensation power (w2) lower than the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183).

[0104] In the drawing (510), the control unit (12) can determine that the depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved when the resistance of the heater (183) decreases in response to the compensation power (w2) in the second detection section (se2). The control unit (12) can determine whether the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved by monitoring the resistance of the heater (183) in response to the compensation power (w2) in real time or monitoring the resistance change amount per unit time. In an embodiment in which the control unit (12) monitors the resistance change amount per unit time, the control unit (12) can determine that the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved when the slope of the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in response to the compensation power (w2) is negative. That is, the control unit (12) can linearly approximate the resistance change amount in the second detection section (se2) and determine whether the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved based on the sign of the slope of the linearly approximated resistance change amount.

[0105] As described later, the control unit (12) can select the compensation power (w2) in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 times the reference power (w1) in order to distinguish between the depletion of the storage unit (181) and the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182). For example, when the reference power (w1) is 7 W, the compensation power (w2) can be set to 4 W. In this way, if the reference power (w1) and the compensation power are not set to a significant difference, even if the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) is resolved, the resistance change amount of the heater (183) has a positive slope, making it difficult to distinguish between the depletion of the storage unit (181) and the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182), which will be described later. In addition, the lower limit of the compensation power (w2) is set to 0.3 times the reference power (w1) in order to continuously heat the aerosol generating material above the vaporization temperature even in the compensation section.

[0106] If the control unit (12) determines that the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved in the second detection section (se2), which is the compensation section, the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the third detection section (se3) that is consecutive to the compensation section to supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183) again. If the control unit (12) determines that the liquid delivery means (182) has not been exhausted in the third detection section (se3), the control unit (12) can also supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183) in the fourth detection section (se4). The exhaustion method of the liquid delivery means (182) in subsequent sections after the initial puff section will be described below with reference to FIG. 7 and below.

[0107] In contrast to the drawing (510), in the drawing (520), even though the control unit (12) supplies a compensation power (w2) smaller than the reference power (w1) to the heater (183) in the second detection section (se2), the resistance of the heater (183) may increase in response to the compensation power (w2). If the resistance of the heater (183) increases in response to the compensation power (w2) in the second detection section (se2), the control unit (12) may determine that the storage unit (181) is depleted, which cannot resolve the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) by power control. The control unit (12) may determine the depletion of the storage unit (181) by monitoring the resistance of the heater (183) in response to the compensation power (w2) in real time, or by monitoring the amount of resistance change per unit time. In an embodiment where the control unit (12) monitors the resistance change per unit time, the control unit (12) can determine that the storage unit (181) is depleted when the slope of the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) is positive in response to the compensation power (w2). That is, the control unit (12) can linearly approximate the resistance change in the second detection section (se2) and determine whether the storage unit (181) is depleted based on the sign of the slope of the linearly approximated resistance change.

[0108] If the control unit (12) determines that the storage unit (181) is exhausted in the second detection section (se2), which is the compensation section, and the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) cannot be resolved, the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the third detection section (se3) that is continuous with the compensation section to cut off the power supplied to the heater (183). In other words, since the replacement of the cartridge will not be performed in one puff section (1 puff), the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the fourth detection section (se4) that is continuous with the third detection section (se3) to cut off the power supplied to the heater (183).

[0109] Meanwhile, if the control unit (12) determines that the storage unit (181) is depleted, it can control the output unit (16) to visually, audibly, and tactilely notify the user of the depletion status of the storage unit (181).

[0110] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a method for determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means in a second detection section and a third detection section according to one embodiment and a power control method according to the same.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 7, as in FIG. 6, the control unit (12) can divide one puff section (1 puff) including the puff start time and the puff end time into a plurality of detection sections (se1 to se4). The time and number of the plurality of detection sections (se) are as described in FIG. 6.

[0112] The control unit (12) can determine the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) based on the change in resistance of the heater (183) in subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4) after the first detection section (se1) which is the initial stage of the puff.

[0113] Meanwhile, unlike the first detection section (se1) which is the initial stage of the puff, the resistance change of the heater (183) in the subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4) does not vary significantly, unlike the first detection section (se1). This is because the rate of increase in resistance decreases as the critical resistance of the heater (183) is reached. Therefore, it is difficult to set a reference slope that can distinguish such a low slope in the subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4). In addition, since the resistance of the heater (183) varies in each section, it is difficult to set a reference slope that is commonly applied to each section. In order to solve this problem, the present disclosure monitors the resistance change amount of the heater (183) in multiple detection sections rather than a single detection section in the subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4), and determines the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) based on the resistance change amount of the heater (183) in these multiple detection sections.

[0114] In Fig. 7, a drawing (610) is shown in which the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) is resolved by providing compensation power to the heater (183) according to exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) in subsequent detection sections (se2 to se4) after the first detection section (se1) which is the initial stage of the puff, and a drawing (620) is shown in which the exhaustion is not resolved.

[0115] The method for determining the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) in the first detection section (se1) to the third detection section (se3) of the drawings (610) and (620) is the same.

[0116] In the drawings (610) and (620), the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the first detection section (se1) to supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183). The resistance detection unit (161) can detect a change in the resistance of the heater (183) in a state in which the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183). The control unit (12) can determine whether the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is depleted based on the change in the resistance of the heater (183) in a state in which the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183). When the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in the first detection section (se1) is less than or equal to the reference change amount (rf1), the control unit (12) can determine that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is not depleted. At this time, the unit time may be the first time (t1) as the length of the first detection section (Se1). That is, the control unit (12) can determine whether the liquid delivery means (182) is depleted by linearly approximating the resistance change amount and the reference change amount in the first detection section (se1) and comparing them. The reference change amount (rf1) means the resistance change amount of the heater (183) per unit time, and therefore the reference change amount (rf1) can be referred to as a reference change rate and a reference slope. For example, the reference change amount may be set to 4 [Ω / sec], but is not limited thereto. Therefore, in an embodiment in which the reference change amount (rf1) is the reference slope, the control unit (12) can determine that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is not depleted when the resistance change amount of the heater (183) per unit time is less than or equal to the reference slope (provided that the reference slope is a positive number). In the drawings (610) and (620), the control unit (12) can determine that the liquid delivery means (182) is not depleted because the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) in the first detection section (se1) is less than or equal to the reference slope (rf1).

[0117] If the control unit (12) determines that the liquid delivery means (182) is not exhausted in the first detection section (se1), it can supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183) in the second detection section (se2) that is continuous with the first detection section (se1).

[0118] The control unit (12) does not determine the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) based only on the resistance change amount of the heater (183) in a single section in the detection sections (se2 to se4) following the first detection section (se1).

[0119] The control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) to supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183) in the second detection section (se2) that is continuous with the first detection section (se1). The resistance detection unit (161) can detect a change in the resistance of the heater (183) in a state in which the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183). The control unit (12) can obtain the first change amount, which is the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in a state in which the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183). At this time, the unit time means the difference between the second time (t2) and the first time (t1) as the length of the second detection section (se2), and may be the same as the first time (t1). The first change amount means the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183), and therefore, the first change amount can be named a first change rate and a first change slope. That is, the control unit (12) can linearly approximate the first change amount in the second detection section (se2).

[0120] The control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) to supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183) in the third detection section (se3) that is continuous with the second detection section (se2). The resistance detection unit (161) can detect the resistance change of the heater (183) in a state where the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183). The control unit (12) can obtain the second change amount, which is the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in a state where the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183). At this time, the unit time means the difference between the third time (t3) and the second time (t2) as the length of the third detection section (se3), and may be the same as the first time (t1). The second change amount means the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183), and therefore, the second change amount can be named a second change rate and a second change slope. That is, the control unit (12) can linearly approximate the second change amount in the third detection section (se3).

[0121] The control unit (12) can determine whether the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted based on the first change amount, which is the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in the second detection section (se2), and the second change amount, which is the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in the third detection section (se3). If the second change amount is greater than the first change amount, the control unit (12) can determine that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) in the third detection section (se3) is exhausted. In an embodiment where the first change amount and the second change amount are slopes, the control unit (12) can determine that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) in the third detection section (se3) is exhausted if the second change slope is greater than the first change slope. That is, the control unit (12) can determine whether the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted by comparing the slopes of the linearly approximated first and second change amounts in each section (at this time, the linearly approximated first and second change amounts are positive numbers). In the drawings (610) and (620), the control unit (12) can determine that the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted in the third detection section (se3) because the change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in the third detection section (se3) is greater than the change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in the second detection section (se2).

[0122] Meanwhile, in Fig. 7, the second detection section (se2) is described as a section that is continuous to the first detection section (se1), but depending on the embodiment, the second detection section (se2) may be a section that is not continuous to the first detection section (se1). In other words, the control unit (12) may determine the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) in the third detection section (se3) and the fourth detection section (se4). In addition, the control unit (12) may determine the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) in the first detection section (se1) and the second detection section (se2).

[0123] In the drawings (610) and (620), if the control unit (12) determines that the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) in the current detection section is exhausted, the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the compensation section subsequent to the current detection section to supply compensation power (w2) lower than the reference power (w1) to the heater (183). In FIG. 7, the current detection section corresponds to the third detection section (se3) in which exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) is detected, and the compensation section corresponds to the fourth detection section (se4) in which compensation power (w2) lower than the reference power (w1) is supplied to the heater (183).

[0124] In the drawing (610), the control unit (12) can determine that the depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved when the resistance of the heater (183) decreases in response to the compensation power (w2) in the fourth detection section (se4). The control unit (12) can determine whether the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved by monitoring the resistance of the heater (183) in response to the compensation power (w2) in real time or monitoring the resistance change amount per unit time. In an embodiment in which the control unit (12) monitors the resistance change amount per unit time, the control unit (12) can determine that the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved when the slope of the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in response to the compensation power (w2) is negative. That is, the control unit (12) can linearly approximate the resistance change amount in the compensation section and determine whether the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved based on the sign of the slope of the linearly approximated resistance change amount.

[0125] In order to distinguish between the depletion of the storage unit (181) and the depletion of the liquid delivery means (182), the compensation power (w2) is selected in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 times the reference power (w1), as shown in FIG. 6.

[0126] When the control unit (12) determines that the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved in the fourth detection section (se4), which is a compensation section, the power supply unit (11) is controlled in the detection section that is consecutive to the compensation section to supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183) again, as shown in FIG. 6. In other words, when the control unit (12) determines that the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved in the fourth detection section (se4), which is a compensation section, the power supply unit (11) can be controlled in the fifth detection section (not shown) that is consecutive to the fourth detection section (se4) to supply the reference power (w1) to the heater (183).

[0127] In contrast to the drawing (610), in the drawing (620), even though the control unit (12) supplies a compensation power (w2) smaller than the reference power (w1) to the heater (183) in the fourth detection section (se4), the resistance of the heater (183) may increase in response to the compensation power (w2). If the resistance of the heater (183) increases in response to the compensation power (w2) in the fourth detection section (se4), the control unit (12) may determine that the depletion of the storage unit (181) cannot be resolved by power control. The control unit (12) may determine that the depletion of the storage unit (181) is resolved by monitoring the resistance of the heater (183) in response to the compensation power (w2) in real time or monitoring the amount of resistance change per unit time. In an embodiment where the control unit (12) monitors the resistance change per unit time, the control unit (12) can determine that the storage unit (181) is depleted when the slope of the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) is positive in response to the compensation power (w2). That is, the control unit (12) can linearly approximate the resistance change in the compensation section and determine whether the storage unit (181) is depleted based on the sign of the slope of the linearly approximated resistance change.

[0128] When the control unit (12) determines that the storage unit (181) is exhausted in the fourth detection section (se4), which is a compensation section, the power supply unit (11) is controlled in the detection section that is consecutive to the compensation section to cut off the power supplied to the heater (183), as shown in FIG. 6. In other words, when the control unit (12) determines that the storage unit (181) is exhausted in the fourth detection section (se4), which is a compensation section, the power supply unit (11) can be controlled in the fifth detection section (not shown) that is consecutive to the fourth detection section (se4) to cut off the power supplied to the heater (183).

[0129] Meanwhile, if the control unit (12) determines that the storage unit (181) is depleted, it can control the output unit (16) to visually, audibly, and tactilely notify the user of the depletion status of the storage unit (181).

[0130] Meanwhile, if the control unit determines that the liquid delivery means (182) and / or the storage unit (181) are exhausted in the last section of one puff (1puff), the power supplied to the heater (183) is not adjusted since there is no subsequent detection section, and the method of FIGS. 6 and 7 is repeated in the subsequent puff.

[0131] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means in a first detection section according to one embodiment.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 8, at step S710, the puff detection unit (162) can detect the user's puff.

[0133] The puff detection unit (162) includes at least one of a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, an airflow sensor, and a microphone, and can transmit the puff detection result to the control unit (12). The control unit (12) can determine the exhaustion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means (182) in real time in each puff section.

[0134] At step S720, the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) to supply reference power to the heater (183).

[0135] The power supply unit (11) includes a battery (111) and a power conversion unit (112), and the control unit (12) can supply reference power to the heater (183) according to the start of the puff.

[0136] At step S730, the resistance detection unit (161) can detect a change in the resistance of the heater (183) in the first detection section.

[0137] The resistance detection unit (161) can output the resistance value of the heater (183) in real time and transmit it to the control unit (12). The control unit (12) can monitor the resistance change of the heater (183) while supplying reference power to the heater (183). The control unit (12) can divide one puff section including the puff start time to the puff end time into a plurality of detection sections, and can monitor the resistance change of the heater (183) in the first detection section from the puff start time to the first time. The resistance change of the heater (183) can be expressed as the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183), and the control unit (12) can monitor the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in real time in the first detection section. According to an embodiment, the resistance change amount of the heater (183) per unit time can be expressed as a linearly approximated slope.

[0138] At step S740, the control unit (12) can compare the reference change amount and the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183).

[0139] The control unit (12) can compare the reference change amount and the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in the first detection section. In an embodiment where the reference change amount and the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) are slopes, the control unit (12) can compare the reference slope and the resistance slope of the heater (183) with each other.

[0140] If the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) in the first detection section (se1) is less than or equal to the reference change, the control unit (12) determines that the liquid delivery means (182) is not exhausted, and continues to supply reference power to the heater (183). In an embodiment where the reference change and the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) are slopes, the control unit (12) determines that the liquid delivery means (182) is not exhausted, and continues to supply reference power to the heater (183) if the resistance slope of the heater (183) in the first detection section (se1) is less than or equal to the reference slope.

[0141] At step S750, the control unit (12) can determine that the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted if the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) in the first detection section (se1) is greater than the reference change.

[0142] In an embodiment where the reference change amount and the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) are slopes, the control unit (12) can determine that the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted when the resistance slope of the heater (183) is greater than the reference slope in the first detection section. A method for controlling power in a subsequent detection section when the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted will be described below with reference to FIG. 10.

[0143] Meanwhile, the present disclosure determines whether the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted only by the change in resistance of the heater (183) of the first detection section, which is a single detection section, at the beginning of the puff. This is because there is no previous detection section in the first detection section, which is the beginning of the puff, and the need to prevent carbonization of the liquid delivery means (182) due to a rapid temperature rise at the beginning of heating is greater than in subsequent detection sections.

[0144] In addition, the aerosol generating device (1) of the present disclosure compares slopes, which are changes per unit time, rather than absolute values ​​when determining the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182). This is because, even in an unheated initial state, each heater (183) may have a different resistance value due to manufacturing errors, and even in this case, if the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) is determined using the same absolute reference value, accurate exhaustion determination cannot be made.

[0145] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining exhaustion of a liquid delivery means in a second detection section and a third detection section according to one embodiment.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 9, in step S810, the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the second detection section and the third detection section consecutive to the second detection section to supply reference power to the heater (183).

[0147] The detection section includes a first detection section and a plurality of subsequent detection sections following the first detection section, and the control unit (12) can determine exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) in the subsequent detection sections. The second detection section and the third detection section are not necessarily sections that are consecutive to the first detection section of FIG. 8, and according to an embodiment, the second detection section may mean a section that has elapsed a predetermined time from the first detection section.

[0148] At step S820, the control unit (12) can detect a change in the resistance of the heater (183) in each of the second detection section and the third detection section.

[0149] The resistance detection unit (161) can output the resistance value of the heater (183) in real time and transmit it to the control unit (12). The control unit (12) can monitor the resistance change of the heater (183) while supplying reference power to the heater (183). The control unit (12) can divide one puff section including the puff start time and the puff end time into a plurality of detection sections. In one embodiment, the control unit (12) can divide one puff section into a first detection section from the puff start time to a first time and a plurality of detection sections following the first detection section, and the control unit (12) can monitor the resistance change of the heater (183) in the subsequent plurality of detection sections. The resistance change of the heater (183) can be expressed as the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183), and the control unit (12) can monitor the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in real time in the subsequent plurality of detection sections. Depending on the embodiment, the resistance change of the heater (183) per unit time may be expressed as a linearly approximated slope.

[0150] The control unit (12) can obtain the first change amount, which is the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in the second detection section, and the second change amount, which is the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in the third detection section, from the resistance value of the heater (183) output by the resistance detection unit (161).

[0151] At step S830, the control unit (12) can compare the first change amount in the second detection section and the second change amount in the third detection section.

[0152] The control unit (12) can store the first change amount in the second detection section in the memory (14) and compare the first change amount and the second change amount in the third detection section. In an embodiment where the first change amount and the second change amount are slopes, the control unit (12) can compare the first change slope and the second slope with each other.

[0153] If the second change amount is less than or equal to the first change amount, the control unit (12) determines that the liquid delivery means (182) is not exhausted, and thus continues to supply the reference power to the heater (183). In an embodiment where the first and second change amounts are slopes, the control unit (12) determines that the liquid delivery means (182) is not exhausted, and thus continues to supply the reference power to the heater (183), if the second change slope is less than or equal to the first change slope in the third detection section.

[0154] At step S840, the control unit (12) can determine that the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted if the second change amount is greater than the first change amount.

[0155] In an embodiment where the first and second change amounts are slopes, the control unit (12) can determine that the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted if the second change slope is greater than the first change slope in the third detection section. A method for controlling power in a subsequent detection section when the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted will be described below with reference to FIG. 10.

[0156] Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) is determined based on the amount of resistance change in a plurality of detection sections in sections after the first detection section, which is the initial stage of the puff. This is because, unlike the initial stage of the puff, the resistance change is not rapid due to the critical resistance of the heater (183) in the subsequent detection sections, and therefore, it is difficult to set a reference slope that can distinguish such a low slope in the subsequent detection sections. In addition, since the resistance of the heater (183) varies in each section, it is difficult to efficiently manage the limited memory (14) capacity when a separate standard is set for each section.

[0157] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling power according to exhaustion of a liquid delivery means and a method for determining exhaustion of a storage unit in one embodiment.

[0158] Referring to FIG. 10, in step S910, when the liquid delivery means (182) is exhausted, the control unit (12) can control the power supply unit (11) in the compensation section to supply compensation power lower than the reference power to the heater (183).

[0159] The compensation section may refer to a section after the detection section that determines the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182). In order to distinguish between exhaustion of the storage unit (181) and exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182), the compensation power (w2) may be selected in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 times the reference power (w1).

[0160] At step S920, the resistance detection unit (161) can detect a change in the resistance of the heater (183) corresponding to the compensation power.

[0161] The resistance detection unit (161) can output the resistance value of the heater (183) in real time and transmit it to the control unit (12). The control unit (12) can monitor the resistance change of the heater (183) while supplying compensation power to the heater (183). The resistance change can be expressed as the resistance change amount per unit time, and the control unit (12) can monitor the resistance change amount per unit time of the heater (183) in real time in the compensation section. According to an embodiment, the resistance change amount of the heater (183) per unit time can be expressed as a slope.

[0162] At step S930, the control unit (12) can determine whether the resistance of the heater (183) is reduced according to the supply of compensation power.

[0163] The control unit (12) can determine whether the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved by monitoring the resistance of the heater (183) corresponding to the compensation power in real time or monitoring the amount of resistance change per unit time.

[0164] At step S940, the control unit (12) can determine that the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved when the resistance of the heater (183) decreases in response to the compensation power.

[0165] In an embodiment where the control unit (12) monitors the resistance change per unit time, the control unit (12) can determine that the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved when the slope of the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) is negative in response to the compensation power.

[0166] At step S950, if the control unit (12) determines that the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved in the compensation section, it can control the power supply unit (11) in the detection section subsequent to the compensation section to supply reference power to the heater (183) again.

[0167] If the control unit (12) determines that the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) has been resolved in the compensation section, it repeats step S910 while supplying the reference power to the heater (183).

[0168] At step S960, if the resistance of the heater (183) increases even though the control unit (12) supplies compensation power smaller than the reference power to the heater (183) in the compensation section, it can be determined that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit (181) is depleted.

[0169] In an embodiment where the control unit (12) monitors the resistance change per unit time, the control unit (12) can determine that the storage unit (181) is depleted when the slope of the resistance change per unit time of the heater (183) is positive in response to the compensation power.

[0170] At step S970, if the control unit (12) determines that the storage unit (181) is depleted, it can control the power supply unit (11) to cut off the power supplied to the heater (183).

[0171] If the control unit (12) determines that the storage unit (181) is exhausted, it cuts off the power supplied to the heater (183) even if it detects the user's puff, and stops heating the heater (183) until a new cartridge (18) is inserted. In addition, if the control unit (12) determines that the storage unit (181) is exhausted, it can control the output unit (16) to output the exhaustion status of the storage unit (181) so that the cartridge can be replaced. The user can insert a new cartridge (18) into the body (10) in response to the indication of the exhaustion status of the storage unit (181).

[0172] Meanwhile, the aerosol generating device (1) of the present disclosure can distinguish not only the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) but also the exhaustion of the storage unit (181) through the change in resistance of the heater (183) and notify the user of this. In particular, in the case of exhaustion of the storage unit (181), the exhaustion of the liquid delivery means (182) cannot be resolved until the cartridge is replaced, so the present disclosure can more reliably prevent carbonization of the liquid delivery means (182) by distinguishing even the exhaustion of the storage unit (181) and notifying the user of this.

[0173] Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. Any or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may have their respective components or functions combined or used together.

[0174] For example, it means that a configuration A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing can be combined with a configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. That is, even if a combination between configurations is not directly described, it means that a combination is possible, except in cases where a combination is described as impossible.

[0175] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In the aerosol generating device, power supply; A cartridge comprising a storage unit for storing an aerosol generating substance, a liquid delivery means for absorbing the aerosol generating substance, and a heater for receiving power from the power supply unit and heating the aerosol generating substance absorbed in the liquid delivery means; A resistance detection unit that detects the resistance value of the heater that varies according to the heating of the heater; and An aerosol generating device comprising a control unit that controls the power supply unit to supply reference power to the heater and determines the exhaustion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a change in resistance of the heater while the reference power is supplied to the heater.

2. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a puff detection unit for detecting the user's puff; The above control unit An aerosol generating device for determining the depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means at each puff interval.

3. In paragraph 1, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that divides a puff section including a puff start time to a puff end time into a plurality of detection sections, and determines the exhaustion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a change in resistance of the heater in the first detection section from the puff start time to a first time.

4. In paragraph 3, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that determines that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means has been exhausted when the resistance change per unit time of the heater in the first detection section is greater than the reference change.

5. In paragraph 1, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that divides a puff section including a puff start time to a puff end time into a first detection section from the puff start time to a first time and a plurality of subsequent detection sections after the first detection section, and determines the exhaustion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a change in the resistance of the heater in the plurality of subsequent detection sections.

6. In paragraph 5, The above plurality of subsequent detection sections include a second detection section and a third detection section consecutive to the second detection section, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that determines the exhaustion of the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means based on a first change amount, which is a change amount of resistance per unit time of the heater in the second detection section, and a second change amount, which is a change amount of resistance per unit time of the heater in the third detection section.

7. In paragraph 6, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that determines that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means in the third detection section is exhausted when the second change amount is greater than the first change amount.

8. In paragraph 1, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that controls the power supply unit in a compensation section subsequent to the current sensing section to provide a compensation power smaller than the reference power to the heater when it is determined that the aerosol generating material absorbed by the liquid delivery means in the current sensing section has been exhausted.

9. In paragraph 8, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that determines that the depletion of the aerosol generating substance absorbed by the liquid delivery means has been resolved when the resistance of the heater decreases in response to the compensation power in the compensation section, and controls the power supply unit in a detection section subsequent to the compensation section to supply the reference power to the heater.

10. In paragraph 8, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that determines that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit is depleted when the resistance of the heater increases in response to the compensation power in the compensation section.

11. In paragraph 10, The above control unit An aerosol generating device that controls the power supply unit in a detection section subsequent to the compensation section to cut off power supplied to the heater when it is determined that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit has been exhausted.

12. In paragraph 10, Further comprising an output section for outputting the status of the aerosol generating device; The above control unit An aerosol generating device that controls an output unit to output the exhaustion status of the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit has been exhausted.

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