Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device comprises: an insertion space that accommodates an aerosol generating substrate; a heater that heats the aerosol generating substrate inserted into the insertion space; an airflow passage connected to the insertion space and through which air flows; a sensor unit disposed in the airflow passage and pressurized to generate an electric current as the pressure inside the airflow passage changes; and a control unit that controls the heater on the basis of the operation of the sensor unit.

Description

Aerosol generating device

[0001] Embodiments relate to an aerosol generating device that detects a user's puff and controls a heater based on the puff.

[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 aerosol by heating cigarettes (or "aerosol-generating articles") using an aerosol-generating device, rather than by burning the cigarette itself.

[0003] An aerosol generating device may include sensors that perform various functions. One example of a sensor may include a sensor that detects a user's puff.

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device that controls a heater with different temperature profiles based on the strength of a user's puff.

[0005] In addition, a technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device including a sensor that can generate power by detecting a user's puff, i.e., a sensor having various functions implemented therein.

[0006] In addition, a technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide an aerosol generating device capable of charging power generated from a sensor to a power source of an aerosol generating device or supplying power to components of the aerosol generating device.

[0007] The problems to be solved through the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0008] An aerosol generating device according to one embodiment may include: an insertion space for accommodating an aerosol generating substrate; a heater for heating the aerosol generating substrate inserted into the insertion space; an airflow passage connected to the insertion space and through which air flows; a sensor unit disposed in the airflow passage and pressurized to generate an electric current as the pressure inside the airflow passage changes; and a control unit for controlling the heater based on the operation of the sensor unit.

[0009] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the heater can be controlled with different temperature profiles based on the strength of the user's puff, thereby adjusting the amount of aerosol produced to suit the user's usage pattern.

[0010] In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, puff detection and energy harvesting are possible from a single sensor, so that a sensor having multiple functions can be implemented in a compact structure.

[0011] Additionally, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, by charging the power generated from the sensor to the power supply of the aerosol generating device or supplying it to components of the aerosol generating device, energy efficiency can be increased and the number of times the power supply must be charged can be reduced.

[0012] In addition, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, energy harvesting is possible through simple operations, thereby improving the convenience and efficiency of energy harvesting.

[0013] The effects of the embodiments 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 embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2a is a drawing showing a state before a sensor unit is pressurized according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2b is a drawing showing a state after a sensor unit is pressurized according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an example of an aerosol generating device including a sensor unit according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 4 is an example of an aerosol generating device including a pressurizing member for pressurizing a sensor unit according to one embodiment.

[0018] Fig. 5a is an enlarged view of part A of Fig. 4 before the pressure member presses the sensor part, Fig. 5b is an enlarged view of part A of Fig. 4 while the pressure member is pressing the sensor part, and Fig. 5c is an enlarged view of part A of Fig. 4 to explain the rotation prevention member.

[0019] Figures 6a to 6c are examples of an aerosol generating device including various embodiments of an airflow passage.

[0020] Figure 7 is an example of an aerosol generating device for illustrating components that protect the sensor unit from the heater.

[0021] FIG. 8 is an example of an aerosol generating device that harvests energy using a sensor unit according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 9 is an example of an aerosol generating device for energy harvesting using a sensor unit according to another embodiment.

[0023] FIGS. 10A to 10C are enlarged views of part B of FIG. 9 to explain a process of harvesting energy by a sensor unit according to another embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 11 is another example of an aerosol generating device including a sensor unit according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 12 is another example of an aerosol generating device including a sensor unit according to one embodiment.

[0026] 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 will be assigned the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In relation to the description of the drawings, similar drawing numbers may be used for similar or related components.

[0027] The suffixes "module" and "unit" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. Meanwhile, the suffixes "module" or "unit" may include units implemented with hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit, for example. A "module" or "unit" may be a component configured integrally, or a minimum unit of the component that performs one or more functions, or a part thereof. For example, a "module" or "unit" may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as software including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., memory (17)) readable by a machine (e.g., an aerosol generating device (1)). For example, a processor (e.g., a control unit (12)) of the machine (e.g., an aerosol generating device (1)) may call at least one command among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called command. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0033] In the present disclosure, the direction of the aerosol generating device (1) can be defined based on the orthogonal coordinate system. In the orthogonal coordinate system, the x-axis direction can be defined as the left-right direction of the aerosol generating device (1). The y-axis direction can be defined as the front-back direction of the aerosol generating device (1). The z-axis direction can be defined as the up-down direction of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0034] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), an output unit (14), an input unit (15), a communication unit (16), a memory (17), and / or a heater (18, 24). However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment that some of the components illustrated in FIG. 1 may be omitted or new components may be added depending on the design of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0036] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit (13) can detect the state of the aerosol generating device (1) or the state around the aerosol generating device (1) and transmit the detected information to the control unit (12). For example, the sensor unit (13) may include a temperature sensor, a puff sensor, an insertion detection sensor, a reuse detection sensor, an overly moist detection sensor, a cigarette identification sensor, a cartridge detection sensor, a cap detection sensor, and / or a movement detection sensor. Meanwhile, the sensor unit (13) may further include various sensors, such as a liquid remaining amount sensor for detecting the liquid remaining amount of the cartridge, and an immersion sensor for detecting immersion of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0037] In one embodiment, the temperature sensor can detect the temperature at which the heater (18, 24) is heated. The aerosol generating device (1) may include a separate temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the heater (18, 24), or the heater (18, 24) itself may function as a temperature sensor. As an example, the temperature sensor may be used to measure the impedance to the heater (18). The impedance to the heater (18) may be correlated with the temperature of the heater (18). The temperature sensor may measure the current and / or voltage applied to the heater (18) (or the induction coil). Based on the measured current and / or voltage, the impedance to the heater (18) may be calculated. The control unit (12) may estimate the temperature of the heater (18) based on the calculated impedance.

[0038] For example, the temperature sensor may include a resistance element (e.g., a thermistor) whose resistance value changes in response to a temperature change of the heater (18, 24). The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the resistance element, and the control unit (12) may detect the temperature and / or temperature change of the heater (18, 24) based on the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0039] As another example, the temperature sensor may include a sensor that detects the resistance value of the heater (18, 24). The temperature sensor may output a signal corresponding to the resistance value of the heater (18, 24), and the control unit (12) may detect the temperature and / or temperature change of the heater (18, 24) based on the signal corresponding to the resistance value.

[0040] In one embodiment, the temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the power source (11). The temperature sensor can be positioned adjacent to the power source (11). For example, the temperature sensor can be attached to one surface of the power source (11) (e.g., a battery) and / or mounted on one surface of a printed circuit board. For example, the aerosol generating device (1) can include a power protection circuit module (PCM), and the temperature sensor can be positioned adjacent to the power source (11) together with the power protection circuit.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the temperature sensor may be placed inside the housing (not shown) of the aerosol generating device (1) to detect the temperature inside the housing (not shown).

[0042] In one embodiment, the puff sensor can detect a user's puff.

[0043] For example, the puff sensor may include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may output a signal corresponding to the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device (1), and the control unit (12) may detect the user's puff based on the signal corresponding to the internal pressure. Here, the internal pressure of the aerosol generating device (1) may correspond to the pressure of an airflow path through which gas flows. The puff sensor may be arranged in correspondence to the airflow path through which gas flows in the aerosol generating device (1).

[0044] As another example, the puff sensor may include a temperature sensor. When the user puffs, a temporary temperature drop may occur in the airflow path, the space where the aerosol generating product is inserted (hereinafter, referred to as the insertion space), the heater (18, 24), etc. The control unit (12) may detect the user's puff based on a signal corresponding to the temperature of the airflow path, etc. output from the temperature sensor.

[0045] As another example, the puff sensor may include both a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. In this case, the temperature sensor may measure a temperature used to correct the internal pressure measured by the pressure sensor. As an example, the puff sensor may correct a signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and output the corrected signal. As another example, the puff sensor may output a signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and a signal corresponding to the internal pressure measured by the puff sensor. In this case, the control unit (12) may receive the signals and correct the signal corresponding to the internal pressure based on the signal corresponding to the temperature.

[0046] As another example, the puff sensor may include a capacitance sensor. In the present disclosure, the capacitance sensor may also be referred to as a capacitive sensor or a capacitive sensor. When a user puffs, a temperature change and / or aerosol flow may occur within the insertion space of the aerosol-generating article, and thus, the permittivity within the insertion space may change. The control unit (12) may detect the user's puff based on a signal corresponding to the permittivity within the insertion space, etc., output from the capacitance sensor.

[0047] The puff sensor is not limited to the examples described above and may be implemented with various sensors to detect the user's puff.

[0048] In one embodiment, an insertion detection sensor can detect the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating item. The insertion detection sensor can be installed around the insertion space. Additionally, the insertion detection sensor can include any combination of the examples described above.

[0049] For example, the insertion detection sensor may include a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor may include at least one conductor, and the at least one conductor may be positioned adjacent to the insertion space. When an aerosol-generating article is inserted or removed within the insertion space, the permittivity around the conductor may change. The control unit (12) may detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating article based on a signal corresponding to the permittivity within the insertion space, etc., output from the capacitive sensor.

[0050] As another example, the insertion detection sensor may include an inductive sensor. The inductive sensor may include at least one coil, and the at least one coil may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space. If the aerosol-generating article (e.g., a wrapper of the aerosol-generating article) includes a conductor, a change in a magnetic field may occur around the current-carrying coil when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into or removed from the insertion space. The control unit (12) may detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating article including the conductor based on the characteristics of the current output from or detected by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency of the alternating current, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc.). Alternatively, the aerosol-generating article (e.g., the medium portion of the aerosol-generating article) may include a susceptor (SUS). Even in this case, a change in the magnetic field may occur around the coil based on the insertion or removal of a susceptor or the like within the insertion space, and the control unit (12) may also detect the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol generating article based on the characteristics of the current of the inductive sensor.

[0051] The insertion detection sensor is not limited to the examples described above, and may be implemented with various sensors (e.g., proximity sensors, etc.) for detecting the insertion and / or removal of an aerosol-generating article. Furthermore, the insertion detection sensor may include any combination of the examples described above. In one embodiment, the insertion detection sensor may include a switch or the like for detecting pressure by an aerosol-generating article.

[0052] In one embodiment, a reuse detection sensor can detect whether an aerosol-generating article has been reused. For example, the reuse detection sensor may be a color sensor for detecting the color of the aerosol-generating article. When the aerosol-generating article is used by a user, a color change may occur in a portion of a wrapper surrounding the exterior of the aerosol-generating article due to the generated aerosol or heating. The color sensor can output a signal corresponding to an optical characteristic (e.g., a wavelength of light) corresponding to the color of the wrapper based on light reflected from the wrapper. If a change in the color of a portion of the wrapper is detected, the control unit (12) can determine that the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space has already been used.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the over-humidity detection sensor can detect whether an aerosol-generating article is over-humidified. For example, the over-humidity detection sensor can include a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor can include at least one conductor disposed adjacent to an insertion space. The control unit (12) can detect whether the aerosol-generating article is over-humidified based on the level of a signal corresponding to a permittivity or the like output from the capacitive sensor. For example, the control unit (12) can check a level range within which the level of the signal is included based on a look-up table, and determine the moisture content of the aerosol-generating article based on the checked level range.

[0054] In one embodiment, the cigarette identification sensor can detect whether an aerosol generating article is genuine and / or detect the type of aerosol generating article.

[0055] For example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an optical sensor for detecting an identification material (or identification mark) located on the outer surface (e.g., wrapper) of an aerosol-generating article. The optical sensor may irradiate light toward the identification material (or identification mark) of the aerosol-generating article and detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-generating article based on the reflected light. For example, the identification material may include a material that emits light in a specific wavelength range based on the irradiated light. The control unit (12) may detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-generating article based on the range of the wavelength.

[0056] As another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include a capacitive sensor. The dielectric constant within the insertion space may vary depending on the type of aerosol-generating product inserted into the insertion space. The control unit (12) may detect the authenticity and / or type of the aerosol-generating product based on a signal corresponding to the dielectric constant within the insertion space output from the capacitive sensor.

[0057] As another example, the cigarette identification sensor may include an inductive sensor. When a conductor is included in the wrapper and / or the interior (e.g., the medium portion) of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space, the characteristics of the current detected by the inductive sensor (e.g., frequency of the alternating current, current value, voltage value, inductance value, impedance value, etc.) when the aerosol-generating article is inserted into the insertion space may differ depending on the type of the aerosol-generating article inserted into the insertion space. The control unit (12) may detect whether the inserted aerosol-generating article is genuine and / or the type of the inserted aerosol-generating article based on the characteristics of the current output from or detected by the inductive sensor.

[0058] The cigarette identification sensor is not limited to the examples described above, and may be implemented with various sensors to detect the authenticity of an aerosol-generating product and / or the type of aerosol-generating product. Furthermore, the cigarette identification sensor may include any combination of the examples described above.

[0059] In one embodiment, the cartridge detection sensor may detect the mounting and / or removal of a cartridge. For example, the cartridge detection sensor may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a Hall sensor (Hall IC), and / or an optical sensor.

[0060] In one embodiment, the cap detection sensor can detect the mounting and / or removal of the cap. For example, the cap detection sensor can include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a contact sensor, a Hall sensor (hall IC), and / or an optical sensor. The cap can include a structure that covers at least a portion of a cartridge mounted or inserted into the aerosol generating device (1), or covers at least a portion of a housing of the aerosol generating device (1). The cap detection sensor can output a signal corresponding to the mounting or removal when the cap is mounted on or removed from the housing, and the control unit (12) can detect the mounting or removal of the cap based on the signal corresponding to the mounting or removal.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the motion detection sensor can detect the movement of the aerosol generating device (1). The motion detection sensor can be implemented as at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit (13) may further include, in addition to the aforementioned sensors, at least one of a humidity sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a position sensor (Global Positioning System, GPS), or a proximity sensor. Since the functions of each sensor can be intuitively inferred by a person skilled in the art from its name, a detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the output unit (14) can output information about the status of the aerosol generating device (1). The output unit (14) can include, but is not limited to, a display, a haptic unit, and / or an audio output unit. For example, the information about the aerosol generating device (1) can include a charging / discharging status of the power supply (11) of the aerosol generating device (1), a preheating status of the heater (18, 24), an insertion / removal status of an aerosol generating article and / or a cartridge, a mounting and / or removal status of a cap, or a status in which the use of the aerosol generating device (1) is restricted (e.g., detection of an abnormal article). The display can visually provide information about the status of the aerosol generating device (1) to the user. For example, the display can include a light emitting diode (LED) light emitting element, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), etc. The display, if it includes a touch pad, can also be used as an input unit (15). The haptic unit can provide tactile information about the status of the aerosol generating device (1) to the user. For example, the haptic unit can include a vibration motor, a piezoelectric element, an electrical stimulation device, etc. The acoustic output unit can provide audible information about the aerosol generating device (1) to the user. For example, the acoustic output unit can convert an electrical signal into an acoustic signal and output it to the outside.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the power source (11) can supply power for the operation of the aerosol generating device (1). The power source (11) can include one or more batteries. The power source (11) can supply power so that the heaters (18, 24) can be heated. In addition, the power source (11) can also supply power required for the operation of other components included in the aerosol generating device (1), such as the control unit (12), the sensor unit (13), the output unit (14), the input unit (15), the communication unit (16), and the memory (17). The power source (11) can be a rechargeable battery or a disposable battery. For example, the power source (11) can be a lithium polymer (LiPoly) battery, but is not limited thereto. The power source (11) can also be a replaceable type (detachable) battery (hereinafter, referred to as a removable battery). The removable battery may be mounted in the battery compartment provided within the aerosol generating device (1) or may be removed from the battery compartment. The removable battery may be charged by wire and / or wirelessly.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the heater (18, 24) may be powered by the power source (11) to heat the aerosol generating article and / or the medium and / or the aerosol generating material within the cartridge. The aerosol generating device (1) may include a heater (18) for heating the aerosol generating article and / or a cartridge heater (24) for heating the cartridge (i.e., the solid and / or liquid medium).

[0066] In one embodiment, the heater (18, 24) may be an electrically resistive heater. For example, the electrically resistive heater may include an electrically resistive material, such as a metal or metal alloy including titanium, zirconium, tantalum, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese, iron, copper, stainless steel, nichrome, etc. The electrically resistive heater may be implemented as a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate having electrically conductive tracks arranged thereon, a ceramic heating element, etc.

[0067] In one embodiment, the heater (18, 24) may be an induction heating heater. For example, the induction heating heater may include a susceptor that generates heat by a magnetic field. A magnetic field may be generated from the induction coil by an alternating current flowing through the induction coil. The generated magnetic field may penetrate the heater, and an eddy current may be generated in the susceptor. The susceptor may be heated based on the generation of the eddy current. In one embodiment, the susceptor may be included within the aerosol generating article (e.g., the medium portion). In this case, the susceptor included within the aerosol generating article may be heated by the induction coil.

[0068] The heater (18, 24) is not limited to the examples described above, and may include or be replaced with various heating methods, structures, components, etc. for heating the aerosol generating article and / or cartridge.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the input unit (15) can receive information input from a user. For example, the input unit (15) can include a touch panel, a button, a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the memory (17) is hardware that stores various data processed within the aerosol generating device (1), and can store data processed and data to be processed in the control unit (12). For example, the memory (17) may include at least one type of storage medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. For example, the memory (17) may store data on the operation time of the aerosol generating device (1), the maximum number of puffs, the current number of puffs, at least one temperature profile, and a user's smoking pattern.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the communication unit (16) may include at least one component for communicating with another electronic device (e.g., a portable electronic device). For example, the communication unit (16) may include a Bluetooth communication unit, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a WLAN (wireless local area network) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an infrared (infrared Data Association, IrDA) communication unit, a WFD (Wireless Fidelity Direct) communication unit, an UWB (ultra wideband) communication unit, an ANT (Adaptive Network Topology)+ communication unit, a cellular network communication unit, an Internet communication unit, a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN) communication unit, etc.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the overall operation of the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the control unit (12) can include at least one processor. The control unit (12) can be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or can be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose MCU (microcontroller unit) (or microprocessor) and a memory storing a program that can be executed in such an MCU. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that the control unit (12) can be implemented as other types of hardware.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the temperature of the heater (18, 24) by controlling the supply of power from the power source (11) to the heater (18, 24). The control unit (12) can control the temperature of the heater (18, 24) and / or the power supplied to the heater (18, 24) based on the temperature of the heater (18, 24) detected using a temperature sensor (e.g., the sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) can control the temperature of the heater (18, 24) and / or the power supplied to the heater (18, 24) based on a temperature profile and / or a power profile stored in the memory (17).

[0074] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control power (e.g., voltage and / or current) supplied to the heater (18, 24) by controlling a power conversion circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the heater (18, 24) and the power source (11). For example, the power conversion circuit may include a DC / DC converter (e.g., a buck converter, a buck-boost converter, a boost converter, a Zener diode, etc.) that converts power to be supplied to the heater (18, 24), and a DC / AC converter (e.g., an inverter) that converts power to be supplied to an induction coil (not shown). The DC / AC converter may be implemented as a full-bridge circuit or a half-bridge circuit including a plurality of switching elements. For example, a power conversion circuit may include at least one switching element, such as a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) or a field effect transistor (FET).

[0075] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the current and / or voltage supplied to the heater (18, 24) by controlling the frequency and / or duty ratio of a current pulse input to at least one switching element of the power conversion circuit (not shown). The duty ratio for the on / off operation of the switching element can correspond to the ratio of the output voltage of the power conversion circuit to the output voltage of the power source (11).

[0076] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18, 24) using at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) method and a proportional-integral-differential (PID) method. For example, the control unit (12) can control a current pulse having a predetermined frequency and duty ratio to be supplied to the heater (18, 24) using the PWM method. The control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18, 24) by adjusting the frequency and duty ratio of the current pulse. For example, the control unit (12) can determine a target temperature that is a target of control based on a temperature profile. The control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18, 24) by using the PID method, which is a feedback control method using the difference value between the temperature of the heater (18, 24) and the target temperature, the value obtained by integrating the difference value over time, and the value obtained by differentiating the difference value over time.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can determine a target power that is the target of control based on the power profile. The control unit (12) can also control the power supplied to the heater (18, 24) to correspond to the preset target power over time.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can detect the user's puff by detecting the power supplied to the heater (18, 24). More specifically, the control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18, 24) using a PID method. When the user's puff is generated, a temporary temperature drop may occur in a space where an aerosol generating article is inserted (hereinafter, referred to as the insertion space), the heater (18, 24), etc. Accordingly, a change may occur in the power (or current) supplied to the heater (18, 24) during the power control using the PID method. The control unit (12) can detect the user's puff based on the change in the controlled power.

[0079] In one embodiment, the control unit (12) can prevent the heater (18, 24) from overheating. For example, the control unit (12) can control the operation of the power conversion circuit to reduce the amount of power supplied to the heater (18, 24) or to stop supplying power to the heater (18, 24) based on whether the temperature of the heater (18, 24) exceeds a preset limit temperature.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control charging and discharging of the power source (11). For example, the control unit (12) can check the temperature of the power source (11) using a temperature sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). If the temperature of the power source (11) is higher than a first limit temperature, the control unit (12) can block charging of the power source (11). If the temperature of the power source (11) is higher than a second limit temperature, the control unit (12) can stop using (e.g., discharging) the power stored in the power source (11). The control unit (12) can calculate the remaining capacity of the power stored in the power source (11). For example, the control unit (12) can calculate the remaining capacity of the power source (11) based on voltage and / or current sensing values ​​of the power source (11).

[0081] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) based on the result detected by the sensor unit (13).

[0082] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) based on the insertion and / or removal of the aerosol-generating article into the insertion space. For example, the control unit (12) can control to supply power to the heater (18, 24) when it is determined that the aerosol-generating article has been inserted into the insertion space using an insertion detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) can cut off the power supply to the heater (18, 24) when it is determined that the aerosol-generating article has been removed from the insertion space using an insertion detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) can also determine that the aerosol-generating article has been removed from the insertion space when the temperature of the heater (18, 24) is equal to or higher than a limited temperature or when the temperature change slope of the heater (18, 24) is equal to or higher than a set slope.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply time and / or power supply amount to the heater (18, 24) based on the state of the aerosol generating article. For example, if the control unit (12) determines that the aerosol generating article is in an over-humidity state by using an over-humidity detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)), the control unit (12) can increase the power supply time (e.g., preheating time) to the heater (18, 24).

[0084] In one embodiment, the control unit (12) may control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) based on whether the aerosol generating article has been reused. For example, the control unit (12) may cut off the power supply to the heater (18, 24) if it is determined that the aerosol generating article has been used.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) based on whether the cartridge is coupled and / or removed. For example, if the control unit (12) determines that the cartridge is coupled and / or removed using a cartridge detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)), the control unit (12) can control to stop the power supply to the heater (18, 24) or prevent power from being supplied to the heater (18, 24).

[0086] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) may control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) based on whether the aerosol generating material of the cartridge has been exhausted. For example, if the control unit (12) determines that the temperature of the heater (18, 24) exceeds a limit temperature while preheating the heater (18, 24) (i.e., during the preheating period), the control unit (12) may determine that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge has been exhausted. If the control unit (12) determines that the aerosol generating material of the cartridge has been exhausted, the control unit (12) may cut off the power supply to the heater (18, 24).

[0087] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) may control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) based on whether the cartridge is available for use. For example, the control unit (12) may determine that the cartridge is unusable if the current number of puffs is determined to be greater than or equal to the maximum number of puffs set for the cartridge based on data stored in the memory (17). Alternatively, the control unit (12) may determine that the cartridge is unusable if the total time that the heater (18, 24) has been heated is greater than or equal to the preset maximum time or the total amount of power supplied to the heater (18, 24) is greater than or equal to the preset maximum amount of power. In this case, the control unit (12) may stop the power supply to the heater (18, 24) or control that power is not supplied to the heater (18, 24).

[0088] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) based on the user's puff. For example, the control unit (12) can determine whether a puff has been generated and / or the intensity of the puff using a puff sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). The control unit (12) can cut off the power supply to the heater (18, 24) when the number of puffs reaches a preset maximum number of puffs and / or no puffs are detected for a preset period of time. The control unit (12) can also control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) when a puff is detected.

[0089] In one embodiment, the control unit (12) may control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) based on whether the aerosol generating article (or cartridge) is genuine and / or the type thereof. For example, the control unit (12) may detect whether the aerosol generating article is genuine and / or the type thereof using a cigarette identification sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). For example, if the control unit (12) detects that the aerosol generating article (or cartridge) is counterfeit, the control unit (12) may cut off the power supply to the heater (18, 24). If the control unit (12) detects that the aerosol generating article (or cartridge) is genuine, the control unit (12) may control (e.g., start) the power supply to the heater (18, 24). As another example, the control unit (12) may control the power supply to the heater (18, 24) differently depending on the type of the aerosol generating article (or cartridge). More specifically, the control unit (12) can control the temperature and / or power of the heater (18, 24) based on a first temperature profile (or a first power profile) when the aerosol generating article (or cartridge) is detected as a first aerosol generating article (or a first cartridge), and can control the temperature and / or power of the heater (18, 24) based on a second temperature profile (or a second power profile) when the aerosol generating article (or cartridge) is detected as a second aerosol generating article (or a second cartridge).

[0090] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the output unit (14) based on the result detected by the sensor unit (13). For example, the control unit (12) can control the output unit (14) to visually, tactilely and / or audibly provide information that the aerosol generating device (1) is about to be terminated when the number of puffs counted using the puff sensor (e.g., the sensor unit (13)) reaches a preset number. For example, the control unit (12) can also control the output unit (14) to visually, tactilely and / or audibly provide information about the temperature of the heater (18, 24).

[0091] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) may store and update a history of events that have occurred in the memory (17) based on the occurrence of a predetermined event. For example, the event may include operations such as detection of insertion of an aerosol generating article, initiation of heating of the aerosol generating article, detection of puff, termination of puff, detection of overheating of the heater (18, 24), detection of overvoltage application to the heater (18, 24), termination of heating of the aerosol generating article, power on / off of the aerosol generating device (1), initiation of charging of the power source (11), detection of overcharging of the power source (11), termination of charging of the power source (11), etc., performed in the aerosol generating device (1). For example, the history of events may include the date and time when the event occurred, log data corresponding to the event, etc. For example, if a given event is detection of insertion of an aerosol generating article, log data corresponding to the event may include data on the sensing value of an insertion detection sensor (e.g., sensor unit (13)). For example, if a given event is detection of overheating of a heater (18, 24), log data corresponding to the event may include data on the temperature of the heater (18, 24), the voltage applied to the heater (18, 24), the current flowing through the heater (18, 24), and the like.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the communication unit (16) to form a communication link with an external device, such as a user's mobile terminal.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) may release restrictions on the use of at least one function (e.g., heating function) of the aerosol generating device (1) when authentication data is received from an external device via a communication link. For example, the authentication data may include the user's birthday, a unique number identifying the user, whether the user has completed authentication, etc.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can transmit data on the status of the aerosol generating device (1) to an external device via a communication link (e.g., remaining capacity of the power source (11), operating mode, etc.). The transmitted data can be output through a display of the external device, etc.

[0095] According to one embodiment, when a request for location search of the aerosol generating device (1) is received from an external device via a communication link, the control unit (12) can control the output unit (14) to perform an operation corresponding to the location search. For example, the control unit (12) can control the haptic unit to generate vibration or control the display to output an object corresponding to the location search and the end of the search.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) can perform a firmware update when firmware data is received from an external device via a communication link.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) may transmit data on the sensed values ​​of at least one sensor unit (13) to an external server (not shown) via a communication link, and receive and store a learning model generated by learning the sensed values ​​through machine learning, such as deep learning, from the server. The control unit (12) may perform an operation of determining a user's suction pattern, an operation of generating a temperature profile, etc., using the learning model received from the server.

[0098] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include a power protection circuit. The power protection circuit may include at least one switching element and may cut off the power supply (11) in response to overcharging and / or overdischarging of the power supply (11). The aerosol generating device (1) may further include a connection interface, such as a USB (universal serial bus) interface, and may transmit and receive information or charge the power supply (11) by connecting to another external device through the connection interface.

[0099] The aerosol generating article referred to in the present disclosure may include at least one aerosol generating rod (e.g., a medium portion) and at least one filter rod. The heater (18) may be arranged to correspond to the at least one aerosol generating rod, and may be designed differently depending on the arrangement order and / or position of the aerosol generating rod and the filter rod. The aerosol generating rod may include at least one of nicotine, an aerosol generating material, and an additive. For example, the aerosol generating material may include glycerin (e.g., vegetable glycerin (VG)) and / or propylene glycol (PG), and may also include various other substances. For example, the additive may include a flavoring agent and / or an organic acid, and may also include various other substances. For example, the aerosol-generating rod may comprise an aerosol-generating substrate (e.g., a sheet) impregnated with a liquid non-tobacco material (e.g., an aerosol-generating material and / or nicotine), and / or may comprise a solid tobacco material (e.g., leaf tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, etc.). The tobacco material may be included in the aerosol-generating rod in various forms, such as cut tobacco, granules, powder, etc. In one embodiment, the additive of the aerosol-generating rod may include an alkaline material. Based on the alkaline material, the nicotine of the tobacco material included in the aerosol-generating rod may have an alkaline pH (e.g., pH 7.0 or higher). In this case, freebase nicotine may be released from the aerosol-generating rod even at low temperatures. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating rod may include two or more aerosol-generating rods, and the two or more aerosol-generating rods may each include a tobacco material and / or a non-tobacco material.Meanwhile, although not shown, at least one aerosol generating rod and at least one filter rod may be individually and / or integrally wrapped by at least one wrapper. In the present disclosure, the aerosol generating article may also be referred to as a stick.

[0100] The cartridge referred to in the present disclosure may contain an aerosol-generating material having any one of the following states: a liquid state, a solid state, a gaseous state, or a gel state. The aerosol-generating material may include a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid containing a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid containing a non-tobacco material. Meanwhile, the cartridge may include a storage unit containing the aerosol-generating material and / or a liquid delivery means impregnating (containing) the aerosol-generating material. For example, the liquid delivery means may include a wick such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic. The cartridge heater (24) may be included in the cartridge in the form of a coil-shaped structure surrounding (or winding) the liquid delivery means, or in a structure contacting one side of the liquid delivery means. Alternatively, the cartridge heater (24) may be included in an aerosol-generating device (1) that is separable from the cartridge.

[0101] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol by electrically heating a cigarette accommodated in an internal space.

[0102] The cigarette may include a tobacco rod and a filter rod. The tobacco rod may be made of a sheet, a strand, or a tobacco sheet cut into small pieces. Additionally, the tobacco rod may be surrounded by a heat-conducting material. For example, the heat-conducting material may be, but is not limited to, a metal foil such as aluminum foil.

[0103] The filter rod may be a cellulose acetate filter. The filter rod may be composed of at least one segment. For example, the filter rod may include a first segment that cools the aerosol and a second segment that filters a predetermined component contained within the aerosol.

[0104] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol using a cartridge containing an aerosol generating material.

[0105] An aerosol generating device may include a cartridge containing an aerosol generating substance and a body supporting the cartridge. The cartridge may be detachably coupled to the body, but is not limited thereto. The cartridge may be formed or assembled integrally with the body, and may be secured so as not to be detached by a user. The cartridge may be mounted to the body while containing the aerosol generating substance therein. However, this is not limited thereto, and the aerosol generating substance may be injected into the cartridge while the cartridge is coupled to the body.

[0106] The cartridge can be operated by an electric signal or wireless signal transmitted from the main body, thereby converting the phase of an aerosol-generating substance inside the cartridge into a gaseous phase to generate an aerosol. The aerosol may refer to a gas that is a mixture of vaporized particles generated from the aerosol-generating substance and air.

[0107] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may heat a liquid composition to generate an aerosol, and the generated aerosol may be delivered to the user through a cigarette. That is, the aerosol generated from the liquid composition may travel along an airflow path of the aerosol generating device, and the airflow path may be configured such that the aerosol may pass through the cigarette and be delivered to the user.

[0108] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may be a device that generates an aerosol from an aerosol generating substance using ultrasonic vibration. In this case, the ultrasonic vibration method may refer to a method of generating an aerosol by atomizing the aerosol generating substance with ultrasonic vibrations generated by a vibrator.

[0109] The aerosol generating device may include a vibrator, which may generate short-cycle vibrations to atomize the aerosol generating material. The vibrations generated by the vibrator may be ultrasonic vibrations, and the frequency range of the ultrasonic vibrations may be, but is not limited to, about 100 kHz to about 3.5 MHz.

[0110] The aerosol generating device may further include a wick that absorbs the aerosol generating material. For example, the wick may be positioned to surround at least a portion of the vibrator or may be positioned to contact at least a portion of the vibrator.

[0111] When a voltage (e.g., an alternating current) is applied to the vibrator, heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations may be generated from the vibrator, and the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator may be transmitted to an aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick. The aerosol-generating substance absorbed in the wick may be converted into a gaseous phase by the heat and / or ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from the vibrator, thereby generating an aerosol.

[0112] For example, the viscosity of an aerosol-generating substance absorbed into a wick may be lowered by heat generated from a vibrator, and an aerosol may be generated by fine particles of an aerosol-generating substance with a lowered viscosity due to ultrasonic vibration generated from a vibrator, but is not limited thereto.

[0113] In another embodiment, the aerosol generating device may further comprise a cradle.

[0114] The aerosol generator can be configured as a system with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle can charge the aerosol generator's battery. Alternatively, the heater can be heated while the cradle and aerosol generator are combined.

[0115] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure may be implemented in a form that can be implemented in the various embodiments of the aerosol generating devices described above, or may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0116] FIG. 2a is a drawing showing a state before the sensor unit (13) according to one embodiment is pressurized, and FIG. 2b is a drawing showing a state after the sensor unit (13) according to one embodiment is pressurized.

[0117] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sensor unit (13) may include a first electrode (131), a second electrode (132), a sensing layer (133), and a substrate (134). However, the components of the sensor unit (13) are not limited thereto, and at least one component may be omitted or added depending on the embodiment.

[0118] In one embodiment, the sensor unit (13) may be a piezoelectric element. In the present disclosure, the piezoelectric element may be a device that converts physical pressure into an electrical signal by utilizing the piezoelectric effect. When an external force is applied to the sensor unit (13), which is a piezoelectric element, an electric polarization is generated inside the piezoelectric element, and as a result, the piezoelectric element itself can form an electric field and generate an electric current. That is, when a physical external force is applied to the piezoelectric element, a polarization phenomenon is induced, and as a result, the piezoelectric element can generate power by being energized (=by generating a voltage). The power generated by the sensor unit (13) may have a range of microwatts (㎼) to milliwatts (㎽). The external force required for the piezoelectric element to generate power may be approximately 10 kN, but is not limited thereto.

[0119] For example, the piezoelectric element may comprise at least one crystalline material, primarily ceramic, or quartz.

[0120] When no external force is applied to the sensor unit (13), charges (13c1, 13c2) can be arranged without directionality within the sensing layer (133) as illustrated in Fig. 2a. As a result, the first electrode (131) and the second electrode (132) are not charged and are maintained in an electrically neutral state, and the sensor unit (13) does not generate current.

[0121] At this time, when an external force is applied to the sensor unit (13), a polarization phenomenon can be induced by the charges (13c1, 13c2) inside the sensing layer (133). Specifically, when one area of ​​the sensor unit (13) (e.g., the second electrode (132)) is pressed, the sensing layer (133) can also be pressed, and as a result, a polarization phenomenon of the sensor unit (13) can be induced by the charges (13c1, 13c2) inside the sensing layer (133).

[0122] For example, when an external force is applied to the sensor unit (13), as illustrated in FIG. 2b, charges (13c1, 13c2) are arranged to have a specific directionality, and - charges (13c2) may be biased toward the first electrode (131), and + charges (13c1) may be biased toward the second electrode (132). As a result, the first electrode (131) is charged to the - pole, and the second electrode (132) is charged to the + pole, so that the sensor unit (13) can form its own electric field and be energized. Through this process, the sensor unit (13) can generate current and produce electrical energy by utilizing the external force, which is mechanical energy.

[0123] However, the state in which the first electrode (131) and the second electrode (132) are charged as shown in FIG. 2b is an example, and depending on the embodiment, the first electrode (131) may be charged to the + pole and the second electrode (132) may be charged to the - pole.

[0124] In one embodiment, as the magnitude of the external force applied to the sensor unit (13) increases, the magnitude of the current and the magnitude of the power generated by the sensor unit (13) may increase.

[0125] A first electrode (131), a second electrode (132), and a sensing layer (133) may be arranged on the substrate (134). For example, the substrate (134) may be a silicon substrate or a silicon thin plate for making a semiconductor device or an integrated circuit (IC). As another example, the substrate (134) may be a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). Additionally, it is to be understood that the substrate (134) may correspond to a substrate made of another material capable of performing the same function.

[0126] For example, the substrate (134) may include a metal material. In this case, an insulating layer may be formed between the first electrode (131) and the substrate (134) to prevent electrical contact. The insulating layer refers to a separate layer made using an insulating material so as not to conduct electricity or heat, and the insulating layer may correspond to an oxide film or a nitride film formed by laminating one or more materials of silicon dioxide (SiO2) or silicon nitride (Si3N4) on the substrate (134).

[0127] As another example, the substrate (134) may be an insulator. In this case, the first electrode (131) may be deposited directly on the substrate (134).

[0128] The structure of the sensor unit (13) is not limited to the structure illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, and other modifications may be included in the structure of the sensor unit (13) as long as it can generate current and generate electrical energy using mechanical energy.

[0129] Fig. 3 is an example of an aerosol generating device (1) including a sensor unit (13) according to one embodiment.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 3, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), a heater (18), an aerosol generating device body (100), an insertion space (110), and an airflow passage (200). However, the components of the aerosol generating device (1) are not limited thereto, and at least one of the above-described components may be omitted or another component may be added depending on the embodiment.

[0131] The sensor unit (13) can detect a change in pressure inside the airflow passage (200). The sensor unit (13) can output a signal corresponding to a change in pressure inside the airflow passage (200), and the control unit (12) can detect the user's puff based on the signal corresponding to the internal pressure.

[0132] The sensor unit (13) can be placed in the airflow passage (200). The sensor unit (13) can be pressurized as the pressure inside the airflow passage (200) changes. Air introduced into the interior of the aerosol generating device body (100) through the inlet (200a) can pressurize the sensor unit (13) while passing through the airflow passage (200), and the sensor unit (13) can generate current as described in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0133] That is, the sensor unit (13) can output an electric signal by mechanical energy using the flow of air current, and the control unit (12) can detect the user's puff based on the electric signal generated by the sensor unit (13).

[0134] The control unit (12) can control the aerosol generating device (1) based on the operation of the sensor unit (13). The control unit (12) can analyze the results detected by the sensor unit (13) and control the processes to be performed thereafter. For example, the control unit (12) can control the power supplied to the heater (18) so that the operation of the heater (18) is started or ended based on the results detected by the sensor unit (13). For example, the control unit (12) can control the amount of power supplied to the heater (18) and the time for which the power is supplied so that the heater (18) can be heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature based on the results detected by the sensor unit (13).

[0135] In one embodiment, the control unit (12) may control the operation of the heater (18) to be initiated only when the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200) exceeds a threshold range (e.g., △200pa). Even if the user does not puff, a slight pressure change (e.g., △100pa) may occur in the airflow passage (200) as air is introduced into the airflow passage (200) by the environment outside the aerosol generating device (1). The sensor unit (13) may be pressurized by the slight pressure change to generate an electric signal. Even in this case, if the control unit (12) controls the heater (18) to be heated, the power consumption of the power source (11) increases, and the user may be burned by the heating of the heater (18) in an unintended situation. According to one embodiment, the control unit (12) controls the heater (18) to be heated only when the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200) exceeds a critical range (=only when the output value of the sensor unit (13) exceeds a preset value), thereby reducing the power consumption of the power source (11) and preventing burns to the user.

[0136] In one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the heater (18) with different temperature profiles based on the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200). That is, the control unit (12) can control the heater (18) with different temperature profiles based on the intensity (= strength) of the user's puff. According to one embodiment, since the heater (18) can be controlled with different temperature profiles based on the intensity of the user's puff, the amount of aerosol produced can be adjusted to suit the user's usage pattern.

[0137] For example, when the strength of the user's puff is strong, the velocity or air flow rate of the air passing through the airflow passage (200) may increase, and the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200) may exceed a preset first range (e.g., △300pa). Accordingly, the sensor unit (13) may be pressurized with a relatively strong pressure. At this time, the sensor unit (13) may generate a large amount of current, and for example, the output value of the sensor unit (13) may be a first output value (e.g., 100mW). As a result, the control unit (12) may control the heating temperature of the heater (18) to be the first temperature (e.g., 380°C). That is, when the strength of the user's puff is strong, the amount of air to be heated relatively increases, and therefore, the control unit (12) controls to increase the heating temperature of the heater (18).

[0138] As another example, when the strength of the user's puff is weak, the velocity or air flow rate of the air passing through the airflow passage (200) may decrease, and the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200) may exceed a preset second range (e.g., △250 pa) and fall below a first range (e.g., △300 pa). Accordingly, the sensor unit (13) may be pressurized with a relatively weak pressure. At this time, the sensor unit (13) may generate a small amount of current, and for example, the output value of the sensor unit (13) may be a second output value (e.g., 80 mW) lower than the first output value. As a result, the control unit (12) may control the heating temperature of the heater (18) to be a second temperature (e.g., 330° C.) lower than the first temperature. That is, when the strength of the user's puff is weak, the amount of air that needs to be heated is relatively small, so the control unit (12) controls to reduce the heating temperature of the heater (18).

[0139] The heater (18) can heat the aerosol generating article (2) inserted into the insertion space (110). The heater (18) can extend upwardly over the insertion space (110). For example, the heater (18) can include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element. The heater (18) can be inserted into the lower portion of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0140] However, the shape of the heater (18) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, and the heater (18) may include a cylindrical heating element disposed on the outside of the aerosol generating article (2).

[0141] Although not shown, the heater (18) may be a multiple heater. The heater (18) may include a first heater and a second heater. The first and second heaters may be arranged side by side along the length direction. The first and second heaters may be heated sequentially or simultaneously.

[0142] In one embodiment, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include an induction coil (not shown) surrounding the heater (18). The induction coil may heat the heater (18). In this case, the heater (18) may be a susceptor, and the heater (18) may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through the induction coil. The magnetic field may penetrate the heater (18) and generate an eddy current within the heater (18). The current may generate heat in the heater (18).

[0143] In addition, although not shown, a susceptor may be included inside the aerosol generating article (2), and the susceptor inside the aerosol generating article (2) may be heated by a magnetic field generated by an AC current flowing through an induction coil. The susceptor may be disposed inside the aerosol generating article (2) and may not be electrically connected to the aerosol generating device (1). The susceptor may be inserted into the insertion space (110) together with the aerosol generating article (2) and may be removed from the insertion space (110) together with the aerosol generating article (2). The aerosol generating article (2) may be heated by the susceptor inside the aerosol generating article (2). At this time, the aerosol generating device (1) may not be equipped with a heater (18).

[0144] The aerosol generating device body (100) forms the exterior of the aerosol generating device (1) and can function as the body of the aerosol generating device (1). An insertion space (110), an airflow passage (200), a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), and a heater (18) can be arranged in the aerosol generating device body (100).

[0145] The insertion space (110) may be formed by being sunken into the interior of the aerosol generating device body (100) to a predetermined depth so that at least a portion of the aerosol generating article (2) can be inserted. The depth of the insertion space (110) may correspond to the length of a region of the aerosol generating article (2) containing an aerosol generating material and / or medium. The lower end of the aerosol generating article (2) may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device body (100), and the upper end of the aerosol generating article (2) may protrude to the outside of the aerosol generating device body (100). The user may hold the upper end of the aerosol generating article (2) exposed to the outside in his / her mouth and inhale air and / or aerosol.

[0146] An aerosol generating substrate can be accommodated in the insertion space (110). In the present disclosure, the aerosol generating substrate is a component containing an aerosol generating material, and may be used as a term including an aerosol generating article (2) or cartridge.

[0147] The airflow passage (200) may be a path through which a fluid flows within the aerosol generating device body (100). For example, the fluid may include at least one of air and an aerosol in a vapor form. The airflow passage (200) may include an inlet (200a), and air introduced into the aerosol generating device body (100) through the inlet (200a) may flow along the airflow passage (200), pass through the aerosol generating article (2) inserted into the insertion space (110), and be discharged to the outside. The airflow passage (200) may be the airflow path described in FIG. 1.

[0148] FIG. 4 is an example of an aerosol generating device (1) including a pressurizing member (300) that pressurizes a sensor unit (13) according to one embodiment.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 4, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), a heater (18), an aerosol generating device body (100), an insertion space (110), an airflow passage (200), and a pressurizing member (300). The aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 4 may be a device that further includes a pressurizing member (300) in the aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 3, and the remaining components (e.g., the sensor unit (13)) are the same as or similar to the above-described components, and thus, a redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0150] The pressurizing member (300) can move as the pressure inside the airflow passage (200) changes to pressurize the sensor unit (13). Since the pressurizing member (300) can pressurize the sensor unit (13) by physically contacting the sensor unit (13), the sensitivity of the sensor unit (13) can be improved. That is, since the sensor unit (13) can easily detect the user's puff by physical contact with the pressurizing member (300) rather than being pressurized by the airflow itself, the ease of detecting the user's puff and the ease of controlling the aerosol generating device (1) based thereon can be improved.

[0151] The pressurizing member (300) may be placed in an area adjacent to the sensor unit (13) on the airflow passage (200). The pressurizing member (300) may be placed at the front end of the sensor unit (13). In the present disclosure, the front end may be in a direction toward the inlet (200a). That is, the pressurizing member (300) may be placed midway between the inlet (200a) and the sensor unit (13).

[0152] Below, the structure of the pressurizing member (300) and the operation process of the pressurizing member (300) will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0153] FIG. 5a is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 4 before the pressure member (300) presses the sensor unit (13), FIG. 5b is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 4 while the pressure member (300) is pressing the sensor unit (13), and FIG. 5c is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 4 to explain the rotation prevention member (350).

[0154] Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the aerosol generating device may include a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), an aerosol generating device body (100), an airflow passage (200), and a pressurizing member (300).

[0155] In one embodiment, the pressurizing member (300) is positioned at the front end of the sensor unit (13) and can be rotatably arranged in the aerosol generating device body (100). The pressurizing member (300) can rotate toward the sensor unit (13) and come into contact with the sensor unit (13) as the pressure inside the airflow passage (200) changes.

[0156] The pressurizing member (300) may include a rotation member (310) and a hinge (320).

[0157] The rotating member (310) can rotate as the pressure inside the airflow passage (200) changes. The rotating member (310) can extend in a direction that crosses the direction in which the airflow passage (200) extends. That is, the rotating member (310) can extend in a direction that crosses the direction in which airflow is formed on the airflow passage (200). Therefore, the rotating member (310) can be implemented with a structure in which rotation can be easily achieved by the airflow formed on the airflow passage (200).

[0158] A rotating member (310) may be coupled to the hinge (320). For example, the hinge (320) may be formed integrally with the rotating member (310), so that the hinge (320) and the rotating member (310) may rotate together by the airflow formed on the airflow passage (200). For another example, the rotating member (310) may be rotatably coupled to the hinge (320), so that only the rotating member (310) may rotate by the airflow formed on the airflow passage (200) while the hinge (320) is fixed. The hinge (320) may be coupled to each of the rotating member (310) and the aerosol generating device body (100).

[0159] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, when an airflow is generated on the airflow passage (200), the rotating member (310) can rotate toward the sensor unit (13) by the airflow. In one embodiment, the distance (D) between the rotating member (310) and the sensor unit (13) can be shorter than the height (H) of the rotating member (310). When the distance (D) is longer than the height (H) of the rotating member (310), the rotating member (310) does not contact the sensor unit (13) even if it rotates. Therefore, according to one embodiment, a structure in which the sensor unit (13) can be sufficiently pressurized can be implemented by setting the distance (D) between the rotating member (310) and the sensor unit (13) to be shorter than the height (H) of the rotating member (310).

[0160] As illustrated in Fig. 5b, when the rotating member (310) rotates and comes into contact with the sensor unit (13), the sensor unit (13) is polarized as it is pressurized, thereby generating a current. Accordingly, the control unit (12) can detect the user's puff and control the components (e.g., heater) of the aerosol generating device (1) based on this.

[0161] In one embodiment, the pressurizing member (300) can pressurize the sensor unit (13) with different pressurizing forces based on the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200), and the control unit (12) can control the heater with different temperature profiles based on the pressurizing force of the pressurizing member (300).

[0162] For example, when the strength of the user's puff is strong, the velocity or air flow rate of the air passing through the airflow passage (200) may increase, and the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200) may exceed a preset first range (e.g., △300 pa). Accordingly, the rotational force of the rotating member (310) may be greatly increased, so that the rotating member (310) may pressurize the sensor unit (13) with a strong pressing force. At this time, the output value of the sensor unit (13) may be a third output value (e.g., 150 mW) greater than the first output value, and the control unit (12) may control the heating temperature of the heater (18) to be a third temperature (e.g., 400° C.) greater than the first temperature.

[0163] As another example, when the strength of the user's puff is weak, the flow rate or air volume of the air passing through the airflow passage (200) may decrease, and the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200) may exceed a preset second range (e.g., △250 pa) and fall below a first range (e.g., △300 pa). Accordingly, the rotational force of the rotating member (310) may be slightly increased, so that the rotating member (310) may pressurize the sensor unit (13) with a weak pressing force. At this time, the output value of the sensor unit (13) may be a fourth output value (e.g., 120 mW) that is greater than the second output value, and the control unit (12) may control the heating temperature of the heater (18) to be a fourth temperature (e.g., 390° C.) that is greater than the second temperature and lower than the third temperature.

[0164] That is, in an embodiment in which the sensor unit (13) is pressurized using the pressurizing member (300), the output value of the sensor unit (13) can increase even if the user inhales with the same puff strength, so that the sensitivity of the sensor unit (13) is improved, so that the user's puff can be easily detected.

[0165] In order for the pressurizing member (300) to return to its original position after contact with the sensor unit (13), the aerosol generating device may include a restoring member. When the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200) is eliminated, i.e., when the user's puff is terminated, the restoring member can return the rotating member (310) to its original position (the position illustrated in FIG. 5A). Accordingly, the pressurizing member (300) can be separated from the sensor unit (13) again, and thereafter used to pressurize the sensor unit (13) again to generate an electric current.

[0166] The restoring member may be coupled to at least one of the rotating member (310) or the hinge (320). The restoring member may have an appropriate elastic coefficient so that the rotating member (310) can be rotated by airflow. The restoring member may be a spring.

[0167] Referring to FIG. 5c, the pressing member (300) may further include a pressing protrusion (330). The pressing protrusion (330) may protrude from the rotating member (310) toward the sensor unit (13). The pressing protrusion (330) may be coupled to one area of ​​the rotating member (310). The pressing protrusion (330) may rotate together with the rotating member (310) to press the sensor unit (13). The pressing protrusion (330) may also be formed integrally with the rotating member (310).

[0168] The pressurizing protrusion (330) may have a stronger strength than the rotating member (310). Accordingly, the sensor unit (13) can be pressed with a stronger pressure.

[0169] At least a portion of the pressure protrusion (330) may include an elastic material. Accordingly, the possibility of damage or breakage of the sensor unit (13) during the process of the pressure protrusion (330) pressing the sensor unit (13) may be reduced. For example, at least a portion of the pressure protrusion (330) may include a rubber material.

[0170] The aerosol generating device may further include an anti-rotation member (350).

[0171] The anti-rotation member (350) can prevent the pressing member (300) from rotating in the opposite direction to the sensor unit (13). The anti-rotation member (350) can be arranged in the airflow passage (200) at the front end of the pressing member (300). When the pressing member (300) is restored to its original position after pressing the sensor unit (13), it may excessively rotate in the opposite direction to the sensor unit (13) by the restoring member. In this case, even if an airflow is generated inside the airflow passage (200), the pressing member (300) has difficulty rotating toward the sensor unit (13) again, making it difficult to pressurize the sensor unit (13). According to one embodiment, the anti-rotation member (350) can implement a structure in which the pressing member (300) can pressurize the sensor unit (13) again by preventing the pressing member (300) from rotating in the opposite direction to the sensor unit (13).

[0172] The anti-rotation member (350) may have an appropriate height so as not to block the flow of air inside the airflow passage (200). In one embodiment, the height of the anti-rotation member (350) may be 1 / 5 or less of the height of the rotation member (310).

[0173] Below, various shapes of the airflow passage (200) in which the sensor unit (13) is placed will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0174] Figures 6a to 6c are examples of an aerosol generating device (1) including various embodiments of an airflow passage (200).

[0175] Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), a heater (18), an aerosol generating device body (100), an insertion space (110), and an airflow passage (200). At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device (1) (e.g., the control unit (12)) is identical or similar to at least one of the above-described components, and thus, any redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0176] FIG. 6a is an example of an aerosol generating device (1) including an airflow passage (200) having a narrowed portion, FIG. 6b is an example of an aerosol generating device (1) including two branched airflow passages (200), and FIG. 6c is another example of an aerosol generating device (1) including two branched airflow passages (200).

[0177] Referring to FIG. 6a, the airflow passage (200) may include a first portion (210) and a second portion (220).

[0178] The first part (210) may have a smaller size than the second part (220). The sensor unit (13) may be placed in the first part (210). That is, the sensor unit (13) may be placed in a portion where the area of ​​the airflow passage (200) becomes narrower.

[0179] The second part (220) is connected to the first part (210) and may have a larger size than the second part (220). The inlet (200a) of the airflow passage (200) may be included in the second part (220). One end of the second part (220) may be connected to the outside, and the other end may be connected to the insertion space (110).

[0180] According to one embodiment, air flowing into the airflow passage (200) through the inlet (200a) may have its velocity instantly accelerated as it passes through the first portion (210) having a narrow surface area. At this time, since the sensor portion (13) is arranged in the first portion (210), the accelerated airflow can pressurize the sensor portion (13) with a strong pressure. As a result, the sensor portion (13) can be easily energized, and the control portion (12) can easily detect the user's puff.

[0181] Referring to FIG. 6b, the airflow passage (200) may include a first airflow passage (250) and a second airflow passage (260).

[0182] The first airflow passage (250) may be a passage through which outside air flows. The first airflow passage (250) may be referred to as a "main airflow passage" through which a greater amount of airflow flows than the second airflow passage (260). An inlet (200a) may be included in the first airflow passage (250). One end of the first airflow passage (250) may be connected to the outside, and the other end may be connected to the insertion space (110).

[0183] The second airflow passage (260) may branch off from the first airflow passage (250). The second airflow passage (260) may have a smaller size than the first airflow passage (250). The sensor unit (13) may be arranged in the second airflow passage (260). The second airflow passage (260) may be referred to as a “branch passage” branched off from the first airflow passage (250).

[0184] The second airflow passage (260) may include an inlet (260a) and an outlet (260b). The inlet (260a) may be connected to a region of the first airflow passage (250), and the outlet (260b) may be connected to the insertion space (110).

[0185] Air that flows into the interior of the first airflow passage (250) through the inlet (200a) can flow, in part, into the second airflow passage (260) from the inlet (260a), and the remainder can flow into the first airflow passage (250). The airflow that flows into the second airflow passage (260) can pressurize the sensor unit (13) and flow into the insertion space (110) through the outlet (260b).

[0186] According to one embodiment, air flowing into the airflow passage (200) through the inlet (200a) may have a faster flow rate as it passes through the second airflow passage (260) having a narrow area. At this time, since the sensor unit (13) is arranged in the second airflow passage (260), the faster airflow can pressurize the sensor unit (13) with a strong pressure. As a result, the sensor unit (13) can be easily energized, and the control unit (12) can easily detect the user's puff.

[0187] In addition, since the second airflow passage (260) branches off from the first airflow passage (250), which is the main airflow passage, the overall airflow in the airflow passage (200) may not be disturbed. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment can be implemented with a structure that can easily detect a user's puff while having a smooth airflow inside.

[0188] Referring to FIG. 6c, the airflow passage (200) may include a first airflow passage (250) and a second airflow passage (260).

[0189] The second airflow passage (260) may branch off from the first airflow passage (250) and rejoin the first airflow passage (250). The second airflow passage (260) may have a smaller size than the first airflow passage (250). The sensor unit (13) may be placed in the second airflow passage (260).

[0190] The second airflow passage (260) may include an inlet (260a) and an outlet (260b). The inlet (260a) may be connected to one area of ​​the first airflow passage (250), and the outlet (260b) may be connected to another area of ​​the first airflow passage (250). The inlet (260a) may be arranged closer to the inlet (200a) than the outlet (260b).

[0191] Air that flows into the first airflow passage (250) through the inlet (200a) can flow, in part, into the second airflow passage (260) from the inlet (260a), and the remainder can flow into the first airflow passage (250). The airflow that flows into the second airflow passage (260) pressurizes the sensor unit (13), passes through the outlet (260b), joins the first airflow passage (250), and then flows into the insertion space (110).

[0192] According to one embodiment, air flowing into the airflow passage (200) through the inlet (200a) may have a faster flow rate as it passes through the second airflow passage (260) having a narrow area. At this time, since the sensor unit (13) is arranged in the second airflow passage (260), the faster airflow can pressurize the sensor unit (13) with a strong pressure. As a result, the sensor unit (13) can be easily energized, and the control unit (12) can easily detect the user's puff.

[0193] In addition, since the second airflow passage (260) branches off from the first airflow passage (250), which is the main airflow passage, the overall airflow in the airflow passage (200) may not be disturbed. Accordingly, the aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment can be implemented with a structure that can easily detect a user's puff while having a smooth airflow inside.

[0194] Fig. 7 is an example of an aerosol generating device (1) for explaining components that protect the sensor unit (13) from the heater (18).

[0195] Referring to FIG. 7, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), a heater (18), an aerosol generating device body (100), an insertion space (110), an airflow passage (200), and an insulating member (400). The aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 7 may be a device in which the arrangement position of the sensor unit (13) in the aerosol generating device (1) described above is specified and an insulating member (400) is further included, and the remaining components (e.g., the control unit (12)) are the same as or similar to the components described above, and therefore, a redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0196] The insulating member (400) can prevent heat generated from the heater (18) from being transferred to the sensor unit (13). In cases where the sensor unit (13) includes a material vulnerable to heat, the insulating member (400) can reduce the possibility of damage or breakage of the sensor unit (13), thereby increasing the service life of the sensor unit (13). The insulating member (400) can be placed between the heater (18) and the sensor unit (13).

[0197] In one embodiment, the insulating member (400) may include a material having thermal resistance and low thermal conductivity. Accordingly, the insulating member (400) may not be damaged by the heat generated from the heater (18) and may not transmit the heat generated from the heater (18) to the sensor unit (13). For example, the insulating member (400) may include at least one of a metal material such as steel, iron, nickel, aluminum, or tungsten, or a ceramic material.

[0198] The insulating member (400) can be placed in one area of ​​the aerosol generating device body (100) as long as it can be placed between the heater (18) and the sensor unit (13).

[0199] In one embodiment, the sensor unit (13) may be disposed at a first distance (L1) from the inlet (200a) of the airflow passage (200) and at a second distance (L2) from the heater (18). At this time, the first distance (L1) may be shorter than the second distance (L2). That is, the sensor unit (13) may be disposed far from the heater (18) and close to the inlet (200a). Accordingly, since the sensor unit (13) is disposed physically far from the heater (18), it may be less affected by heat generated from the heater (18).

[0200] Hereinafter, energy harvesting, which controls the operation of the aerosol generating device (1) using the power generated by the sensor unit (13), will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0201] Fig. 8 is an example of an aerosol generating device (1) that harvests energy using a sensor unit (13) according to one embodiment.

[0202] Referring to FIG. 8, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), a heater (18), an aerosol generating device body (100), an insertion space (110), a power conversion circuit (160), a power amplification circuit (170), and an airflow passage (200). The aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 8 may be a device further including a power conversion circuit (160) and a power amplification circuit (170) in the aerosol generating device (1) described above, and the remaining components (e.g., the control unit (12)) are the same as or similar to the above-described components, and thus, a redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0203] According to one embodiment, the sensor unit (13) may be disposed in the airflow passage (200) and used for energy harvesting. In the present disclosure, energy harvesting is a technology for collecting energy generated during the mechanical operation of the aerosol generating device (1) and reusing it as electrical energy, and may mean reproducing energy by finding energy that can be harvested or utilized from discarded or unused resources.

[0204] That is, when an airflow is generated on the airflow passage (200), the sensor unit (13) receives an external force from the airflow (or from a pressurizing member) and is polarized as described in FIGS. 2A and 2B to generate power. In the present disclosure, the sensor unit (13) may also be referred to as a “harvest element.”

[0205] Therefore, since puff detection and energy harvesting are possible from one sensor unit (13), a sensor unit (13) with complex functions can be implemented in a compact structure.

[0206] The control unit (12) can control the aerosol generating device (1) using the power generated by the sensor unit (13). For example, the control unit (12) can control the heater (18) using the power generated by the sensor unit (13).

[0207] The power conversion circuit (160) can convert the power generated by the sensor unit (13). The power generated by the sensor unit (13) is generated in a form that is not suitable for direct application to the aerosol generating device (1). Therefore, the power conversion circuit (160) can convert the power generated from the sensor unit (13) into power that can be supplied to the heater (18), the power source (11), or the display. The power conversion circuit (160) may include a rectifier circuit that rectifies AC power into DC power, a DC conversion circuit that converts the rectified DC power into DC power having a DC voltage size suitable for the device, and a power storage element that temporarily stores the DC power, but the components included in the power conversion circuit (160) are not limited thereto.

[0208] The control unit (12) can control the power conversion circuit (160) to supply the output power of the sensor unit (13) to the power supply (11). That is, the control unit (12) can control the power conversion circuit (160) to store the power generated by the sensor unit (13) in the power supply (11) in order to use it for the operation of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0209] The power amplification circuit (170) can amplify the power generated by the sensor unit (13). Generally, the power generated by the sensor unit (13) has a range of microwatts (㎼) to milliwatts (㎽), and the control unit (12) can control the power amplification circuit (170) so that the output power of the sensor unit (13) can be maximized.

[0210] In one embodiment, the control unit (12) can control the power amplification circuit (170) based on the type of the sensor unit (13) and the operating state of the aerosol generating device (1), for example, the operating cycle of the aerosol generating device (1), the heating cycle (PWM duty ratio) or heating profile of the heater (18), the user puff detected by the sensor unit (13), the puff cycle or the puff intensity, etc., so that the output power of the sensor unit (13) is maximized.

[0211] Fig. 9 is an example of an aerosol generating device (1) that harvests energy using a sensor unit (13) according to another embodiment.

[0212] Referring to FIG. 9, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), a heater (18), an aerosol generating device body (100), an insertion space (110), a power conversion circuit (160), a power amplification circuit (170), an airflow passage (200), a cover (500), and a pressure transmitting member (600). The aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 9 may be a device further including a second sensor (13b) of the sensor unit (13), a cover (500), and a pressure transmitting member (600) in the aerosol generating device (1) described above, and the remaining components (e.g., the control unit (12)) are the same as or similar to the above-described components, and thus, a redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0213] The sensor unit (13) can collect power from energy sources generated at various locations of the aerosol generating device (1). In the present disclosure, the sensor unit (13) can produce electrical energy by the flow of air current formed on the airflow passage (200), and can also produce electrical energy by the opening and closing operation of the cover (500).

[0214] To this end, the sensor unit (13) may include a first sensor (13a) disposed in the airflow passage (200) and a second sensor (13b) disposed in an adjacent area of ​​the cover (500). The first sensor (13a) and the second sensor (13b) may operate on the same principle as the sensor unit (13) described in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The first sensor (13a) may be referred to as a first harvest element, and the second sensor (13b) may be referred to as a second harvest element.

[0215] The cover (500) can be positioned on the aerosol generating device body (100) so as to be movable between a first position (P1, or open position) that opens the insertion space (110) and a second position (P2, or closed position) that closes the insertion space (110).

[0216] In one example, the cover (500) can be positioned to cover the insertion space (110) at the second position (P2) so that the insertion space (110) is not exposed to the outside of the aerosol generating device (1). By preventing the insertion space (110) from being exposed to the outside at the second position (P2), the cover (500) can prevent external foreign substances from entering the interior of the aerosol generating device body (100) through the insertion space (110).

[0217] In another example, the cover (500) may be moved from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1) so that the insertion space (110) is exposed to the outside. When the cover (500) is in the first position (P1), the aerosol generating article may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating device body (100) through the insertion space (110) as the insertion space (110) is exposed.

[0218] According to one embodiment, the cover (500) can slide between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2) along a groove formed in an area (e.g., an upper portion) of the aerosol generating device body (100), but the movement method of the cover (500) is not limited thereto. In addition, the cover (500) that has moved from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1) may return to the second position (P2) by elastic force (or 'restoring force') even without a separate operation by the user, but is not limited thereto.

[0219] The pressure transmitting member (600) can be pressurized by the cover (500). Specifically, the pressure transmitting member (600) can be pressurized by coming into contact with an area of ​​the cover (500) during the movement of the cover (500), thereby pressurizing the second sensor (13b).

[0220] The pressure transmitting member (600) may be placed at the bottom of the cover (500). The pressure transmitting member (600) may be placed between the cover (500) and the second sensor (13b). However, the position at which the pressure transmitting member (600) is placed is not limited thereto, as long as the pressure transmitting member (600) can be pressurized as the cover (500) moves.

[0221] Below, the process of pressurizing the second sensor (13b) as the cover (500) moves will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing.

[0222] FIGS. 10A to 10C are enlarged views of part B of FIG. 9 to explain the process of harvesting energy by the sensor unit (13) according to another embodiment.

[0223] The cover (500) may include a cover body (510) and an insertion groove (520).

[0224] The cover body (510) forms the outer shape of the cover (500) and can function as the body of the cover (500). The cover body (510) is placed in one area of ​​the aerosol generating device body (100) and can move to open or close the insertion space.

[0225] An insertion groove (520) may be formed in the cover body (510). A protruding member (630) of a pressure transmission member (600) may be inserted into the insertion groove (520). The insertion groove (520) may be formed by machining a groove of a predetermined depth from one side of the cover body (510) facing the pressure transmission member (600).

[0226] In one embodiment, the insertion groove (520) may be formed at a position spaced apart from each of one end and the other end of the cover body (510). For example, the insertion groove (520) may be formed at a position spaced apart from each of one end and the other end of the cover body (510) by the same distance.

[0227] The pressure transmitting member (600) may include a pressure transmitting body (610), a pressure transmitting protrusion (620), and a protruding member (630).

[0228] The pressure transmission body (610) can function as the body of the pressure transmission member (600). The pressure transmission body (610) can be placed between the cover (500) and the second sensor (13b).

[0229] The pressure transmitting protrusion (620) may protrude toward the second sensor (13b). As the cover (500) presses the protruding member (630), the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) may pressurize an area (e.g., a second electrode) of the second sensor (13b).

[0230] The pressure transmitting protrusion (620) can protrude from the pressure transmitting body (610).

[0231] In one embodiment, the distance (d) between the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) and the second sensor (13b) may be 0. That is, before the pressure transmitting member (600) is pressed by the cover (500), the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) and the second sensor (13b) may always remain in contact. Accordingly, the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) may press the second sensor (13b) with a strong force as it is pressed by the cover (500).

[0232] In another embodiment, the separation distance (d) between the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) and the second sensor (13b) may be greater than 0. That is, before the pressure transmitting member (600) is pressed by the cover (500), the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) and the second sensor (13b) may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. At this time, the separation distance (d) may have an appropriate size so that the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) can sufficiently pressurize the second sensor (13b). For example, the separation distance (d) may have a size of 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, but is not limited thereto.

[0233] The pressure transmitting protrusion (620) may have a stronger strength than the pressure transmitting body (610). Accordingly, the second sensor (13b) can be pressurized with a stronger pressure.

[0234] At least a portion of the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) may include an elastic material. Accordingly, the possibility of damage or breakage of the second sensor (13b) during the process in which the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) pressurizes the second sensor (13b) may be reduced. For example, at least a portion of the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) may include a rubber material.

[0235] The protruding member (630) may protrude from the pressure transmitting body (610) toward the cover (500). The protruding member (630) may be positioned on the pressure transmitting body (610) so as to be located on the opposite side of the pressure transmitting protrusion (620). The protruding member (630) may be inserted into the insertion groove (520) of the cover (500). The protruding member (630) may be formed in a size or shape corresponding to the insertion groove (520).

[0236] The protruding member (630), the pressure transmitting protrusion (620), and the pressure transmitting body (610) may be formed integrally.

[0237] According to one embodiment, the second sensor (13b) may be pressurized by the pressure transmitting member (600) rather than directly by the cover (500). That is, the pressure transmitting member (600) may perform the function of pressurizing the second sensor (13b) and at the same time, perform the function of protecting the second sensor (13b). Accordingly, the possibility of damage or breakage of the second sensor (13b) due to direct pressurization of the cover (500) may be reduced.

[0238] Below, the process of the second sensor (13b) generating power by the opening and closing operation of the cover (500) will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing.

[0239] Fig. 10a shows a state in which the protruding member (630) is fully inserted into the insertion groove (520), and Fig. 10b shows a state in which the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) presses the second sensor (13b) as the cover (500) presses the protruding member (630). Fig. 10c shows a state in which the cover (500) is completely pressed against the pressure transmitting member (600).

[0240] First, referring to Fig. 10a, when the protruding member (630) is inserted into the insertion groove (520), the cover (500) begins to move. For example, the cover (500) can move from a first position to a second position.

[0241] Next, referring to FIG. 10b, a region of the cover body (510) can be brought into contact with the protruding member (630). Since the protruding member (630) protrudes from the pressure transmitting body (610) toward the cover (500), it can move toward the second sensor (13b) as it comes into contact with the cover body (510). Accordingly, the pressure transmitting body (610) and the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) can move together toward the second sensor (13b), and the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) can pressurize the second sensor (13b). As a result, the second sensor (13b) can be energized to produce power, and the control unit can control the power generated from the second sensor (13b) to be supplied to the power source.

[0242] At this time, a portion (630a) of the protruding member (630) facing the insertion groove (520) may include a curved surface. Accordingly, the cover body (510) can smoothly contact the protruding member (630), thereby improving the ease of movement of the cover (500), and reducing the possibility of damage to the cover body (510) and the protruding member (630).

[0243] Next, referring to FIG. 10c, as the cover (500) moves further, for example, when the cover (500) is moved to the second position, the cover (500) may be separated from the protruding member (630). Accordingly, the pressure transmitting member (600) may be moved upward as a whole, and the pressure transmitting protrusion (620) may be separated from the second sensor (13b). At this time, the second sensor (13b) may return to its original state, i.e., the state before energization, as the pressurized state is released.

[0244] At this time, if the cover (500) located at the second position is moved back to the first position, the second sensor (13b) can be pressurized by the same mechanism as the mechanism described above.

[0245] According to one embodiment, the second sensor (13b) can generate power twice while the cover (500) moves from the first position to the second position and then again from the second position to the first position. That is, since the aerosol generating device can generate power twice through the relatively easy operation of opening and closing the cover (500) once, the efficiency and convenience of the power harvesting operation can be improved.

[0246] In the present disclosure, the cover (500) includes an insertion groove (520) and the pressure transmission member (600) includes a protruding member (630), but this is exemplary. That is, in one embodiment, the cover (500) may include a protruding member (630) and the pressure transmission member (600) may include an insertion groove (520). In this case, the protruding member (630) may protrude from the lower portion of the cover body (510), and the insertion groove (520) may be formed on the upper surface of the pressure transmission body (610).

[0247] Below, other examples of aerosol generating devices (1) will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0248] Fig. 11 is another example of an aerosol generating device (1) including a sensor unit (13) according to one embodiment.

[0249] Referring to Fig. 11, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), a heater (18), an aerosol generating device body (100), an insertion space (110), an airflow passage (200), and a cartridge (700). At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device (1) of Fig. 11 (e.g., the control unit (12) or the heater (18)) is identical or similar to at least one of the above-described components, and thus, a redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0250] According to one embodiment, the heater (18) may be omitted from the aerosol generating device (1). In this case, the aerosol generating article (2) accommodated in the insertion space (110) is not heated, and the vapor generated in the heater assembly (720) can pass through the aerosol generating article (2) and be delivered to the user.

[0251] The airflow passage (200) may extend from the cartridge (700) to the insertion space (110). At this time, air may flow into the interior of the cartridge (700) through the upper portion of the cartridge (700), then pass through the heater assembly (720) and into the insertion space (110). The vapor generated inside the heater assembly (720) is mixed with external air to become aerosol, and the aerosol may be introduced into the insertion space (110) and discharged to the outside through the aerosol generating article (2).

[0252] The cartridge (700) can be detachably coupled to the aerosol generating device body (100). The cartridge (700) can include a storage unit (710) and a heater assembly (720).

[0253] An aerosol generating material may be stored in the storage unit (710). The aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit (710) may be supplied to the heater assembly (720). The aerosol generating material stored inside the storage unit (710) may include a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may include a liquid composition including a non-tobacco material.

[0254] In one embodiment, the liquid composition may include any one or a mixture of water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, fragrance, flavoring agent, and vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit-flavored ingredients. The flavoring agent may include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or tastes to the user. The vitamin mixture may include, but is not limited to, a mixture of at least one of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E. The liquid composition may also include an aerosol-forming agent such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

[0255] For example, the liquid composition may comprise a solution of glycerin and propylene glycol in any weight ratio to which a nicotine salt has been added. The liquid composition may also comprise two or more nicotine salts. The nicotine salt may be formed by adding a suitable acid, including an organic or inorganic acid, to nicotine. The nicotine may be naturally occurring nicotine or synthetic nicotine and may have any suitable weight concentration relative to the total solution weight of the liquid composition.

[0256] The acid for forming the nicotine salt may be appropriately selected in consideration of the rate of nicotine absorption in the blood, the operating temperature of the aerosol generating device (1), flavor or taste, solubility, etc. For example, the acid for forming the nicotine salt may be a single acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, lauric acid, sorbic acid, levulinic acid, pyruvic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, citric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, phenylacetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, saccharic acid, malonic acid, or malic acid, or a mixture of two or more acids selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

[0257] The heater assembly (720) can perform a function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material into a gaseous phase. The heater assembly (720) can receive the aerosol generating material from the storage unit (710) and heat the aerosol generating material. Accordingly, the aerosol generating material can be aerosolized inside the heater assembly (720). In the present disclosure, the term "aerosol" may mean particles generated by mixing air with vapor generated by heating an aerosol generating material, and the expression may be used with the same meaning in the present specification.

[0258] Although not shown, the heater assembly (720) may include a wick into which the aerosol generating substance is absorbed and a heating element (e.g., a heating coil) that heats the aerosol generating substance by heating the wick. The heating element may be wound around the wick and arranged to surround the wick. The heating element may be the cartridge heater (24) described above.

[0259] The sensor unit (13) may be disposed in the airflow passage (200) located between the heater assembly (720) and the insertion space (110). The sensor unit (13) may be disposed in the airflow passage (200) and may be pressurized and polarized by the flow of air current on the airflow passage (200). The embodiment in which the control unit (12) controls the aerosol generating device (1) based on the output of the sensor unit (13) described above is equally applicable to the aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 11, and therefore, a duplicate description will be omitted.

[0260] Meanwhile, although the cover (500, shown in FIG. 9) that opens the insertion space (110) is not shown in FIG. 11, the aerosol generating device (1) may further include a cover, in which case the sensor unit (13) may include a first sensor (13a, shown in FIG. 9) arranged in the airflow passage (200) and a second sensor (13b, shown in FIG. 9) arranged in an adjacent area of ​​the cover.

[0261] Fig. 12 is another example of an aerosol generating device (1) including a sensor unit (13) according to one embodiment.

[0262] Referring to Fig. 12, the aerosol generating device (1) may include a power source (11), a control unit (12), a sensor unit (13), an aerosol generating device body (100), an airflow passage (200), and a cartridge (700). At least one of the components of the aerosol generating device (1) of Fig. 12 (e.g., the control unit (12) or the heater (18)) is identical or similar to at least one of the components described above, and thus, any redundant description thereof will be omitted below.

[0263] An airflow passage (200) may be formed in the heater assembly (720) and may extend to the mouthpiece (700 m). Air introduced into the interior of the heater assembly (720) through the airflow passage (200) may be introduced into the chamber of the heater assembly (720). At this time, the aerosol generating material heated by the heating unit may be mixed with the air introduced through the airflow passage (200), and the aerosol thus generated may be discharged to the outside of the aerosol generating device (1) toward the mouthpiece (700 m).

[0264] The cartridge (700) may include a mouth piece (700m), a reservoir (710), and a heater assembly (720).

[0265] The mouthpiece (700m) is for supplying aerosol to the user. For example, the mouthpiece (700m) can connect or fluidly connect the interior of the heater assembly (720) and the exterior of the aerosol generating device (1), and the aerosol generated inside the heater assembly (720) can be discharged to the exterior of the aerosol generating device (1) through the mouthpiece (700m). At this time, the user can contact the mouthpiece (700m) and inhale the aerosol discharged to the exterior of the aerosol generating device (1).

[0266] In the present disclosure, the term "fluid connection" may mean that components are connected so that a fluid, such as air or liquid, can flow therethrough.

[0267] An aerosol generating material can be stored inside the storage unit (710), and the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit (710) can be supplied to a heater assembly (720) positioned at the bottom of the storage unit (710). Since the aerosol generating material stored inside the storage unit (710) is the same as or similar to the aerosol generating material described in FIG. 11, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0268] The heater assembly (720) is located between the storage unit (710) and the aerosol generating device body (100) and can perform the function of generating an aerosol by converting the phase of an aerosol generating material into a gas phase.

[0269] The heater assembly (720) can heat the aerosol-generating material supplied from the storage unit (710) to generate vapor from the aerosol-generating material. The generated vapor can be mixed with outside air introduced into the heater assembly (720) from the outside of the heater assembly (720), thereby generating an aerosol. The heater assembly (720) can include a chamber that provides a space for generating aerosol, a wick that absorbs the aerosol-generating material, and a heating element (e.g., an electrically conductive pattern) that heats the aerosol-generating material absorbed by the wick. The heating element can be the cartridge heater (24) described above.

[0270] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment can enable replacement of the storage unit (710) and / or the heater assembly (720) through a structure in which the storage unit (710) and the heater assembly (720) are detachably coupled, and the heater assembly (720) and the aerosol generating device body (100) are detachably coupled.

[0271] When the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit (710) is depleted, the user can continue smoking by replacing the existing storage unit (710) with a new storage unit (710). As another example, when the performance of a component (e.g., a heating element or a wick) of the heater assembly (720) deteriorates and a sufficient amount of aerosol is not generated, the user can replace the existing heater assembly (720) with a new heater assembly (720) to ensure that a sufficient amount of aerosol is generated.

[0272] When the aerosol generating material stored in the storage unit (710) is consumed and the storage unit (710) needs to be replaced, the aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment can be implemented in a structure in which only the storage unit (710) is replaced and the heater assembly (720) is reusable. This is because the storage unit (710) is detachably coupled to the heater assembly (720). Accordingly, even when the storage unit (710) needs to be replaced, components such as the heating unit included in the heater assembly (720) do not necessarily need to be replaced together, so the overall cost of use of the aerosol generating device (1) according to the embodiment can be reduced.

[0273] The sensor unit (13) may be placed in the airflow passage (200) inside the heater assembly (720). The sensor unit (13) may be placed in the airflow passage (200) and may be pressurized and polarized by the flow of airflow on the airflow passage (200). The embodiment in which the control unit (12) controls the aerosol generating device (1) based on the output of the sensor unit (13) described above is equally applicable to the aerosol generating device (1) of FIG. 12, and therefore, a duplicate description will be omitted.

[0274] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment may include an insertion space (110) for accommodating an aerosol generating substrate; a heater (18) for heating the aerosol generating substrate inserted into the insertion space (110); an airflow passage (200) connected to the insertion space (110) and through which air flows; a sensor unit (13) disposed in the airflow passage (200) and pressurized to generate current as the pressure inside the airflow passage (200) changes; and a control unit (12) for controlling the heater (18) based on the operation of the sensor unit (13).

[0275] The above control unit (12) can control the heater (18) with different temperature profiles based on the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200).

[0276] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment may further include a pressurizing member (300) disposed in the airflow passage (200) and moving as the pressure inside the airflow passage (200) changes to pressurize the sensor unit (13).

[0277] The above pressure member (300) can be rotatably placed at the front end of the sensor unit (13).

[0278] The above pressurizing member (300) can pressurize the sensor unit (13) with different pressurizing forces based on the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage (200).

[0279] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment may further include a rotation preventing member (350) disposed in the airflow passage (200) at the front end of the pressurizing member (300) and preventing the pressurizing member (300) from rotating in the opposite direction of the sensor unit (13).

[0280] The airflow passage (200) may include a first part (210) in which the sensor unit (13) is arranged, and a second part (220) connected to the first part (210) and having a larger size than the first part (210).

[0281] The airflow passage (200) includes a first airflow passage (250) through which external air is introduced and moves, and a second airflow passage (260) branched from the first airflow passage (250) and connected to the insertion space (110) and having a size smaller than that of the first airflow passage (250), and the sensor unit (13) can be arranged in the second airflow passage (260).

[0282] The above airflow passage (200) includes a first airflow passage (250) through which outside air is introduced and moves, and a second airflow passage (260) that branches off from the first airflow passage (250) and rejoins the first airflow passage (250) and has a size smaller than that of the first airflow passage (250), and the sensor unit (13) can be arranged in the second airflow passage (260).

[0283] The sensor unit (13) may be positioned at a first distance (L1) from the inlet (200a) of the airflow passage (200), and may be positioned at a second distance (L2) greater than the first distance (L1) from the heater (18).

[0284] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment may further include an insulating member (400) disposed between the sensor unit (13) and the heater (18) to prevent heat generated from the heater (18) from reaching the sensor unit (13).

[0285] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment may further include a power amplification circuit (170) that amplifies power generated as the sensor unit (13) is pressurized and polarized.

[0286] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment further includes a power conversion circuit (160) that converts power generated as the sensor unit (13) is pressurized and polarized; and the control unit (12) can control the power converted by the power conversion circuit (160) to be supplied to a power source (11).

[0287] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment further includes an aerosol generating device body (100) including the insertion space (110); and a cover (500) disposed on the aerosol generating device body (100) so as to be movable between a first position (P1) that opens the insertion space (110) and a second position (P2) that closes the insertion space (110); and the sensor unit (13) may include a first sensor (13a) disposed on the airflow passage (200), and a second sensor (13b) that generates power as the cover (500) is pressurized in the process of moving between the first position (P1) and the second position (P2).

[0288] An aerosol generating device (1) according to one embodiment further includes a pressure transmitting member (600) disposed between the cover (500) and the second sensor (13b) to pressurize the second sensor (13b) as the cover (500) moves, wherein either the cover (500) or the pressure transmitting member (600) includes a protruding member (630) protruding toward the other, and the other of the cover (500) or the pressure transmitting member (600) may include an insertion groove (520) into which the protruding member (630) is inserted.

[0289] 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.

[0290] 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.

[0291] 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. An insertion space for accommodating an aerosol generating substrate; A heater for heating the aerosol generating substrate inserted into the insertion space; An airflow passage connected to the above insertion space and through which air flows; A sensor unit disposed in the airflow passage and pressurized to generate current as the pressure inside the airflow passage changes; and An aerosol generating device, comprising a control unit that controls the heater based on the operation of the sensor unit.

2. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device wherein the control unit controls the heater to different temperature profiles based on the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage.

3. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device further comprising a pressurizing member disposed in the airflow passage and moving as the pressure inside the airflow passage changes to pressurize the sensor unit.

4. In paragraph 3, An aerosol generating device wherein the pressurizing member is rotatably positioned at the front end of the sensor section.

5. In paragraph 3, An aerosol generating device in which the pressurizing member pressurizes the sensor unit with different pressurizing forces based on the magnitude of the pressure change inside the airflow passage.

6. In paragraph 3, An aerosol generating device further comprising a rotation preventing member disposed in the airflow passage at the front end of the pressurizing member and preventing the pressurizing member from rotating in the opposite direction of the sensor unit.

7. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device, wherein the airflow passage comprises a first part in which the sensor unit is arranged, and a second part connected to the first part and having a larger size than the first part.

8. In paragraph 1, The airflow passage includes a first airflow passage through which outside air is introduced and moves, and a second airflow passage branched from the first airflow passage and connected to the insertion space and having a size smaller than that of the first airflow passage. An aerosol generating device, wherein the sensor unit is disposed in the second airflow passage.

9. In paragraph 1, The airflow passage includes a first airflow passage through which outside air is introduced and moves, and a second airflow passage branching from the first airflow passage and joining the first airflow passage again and having a size smaller than the size of the first airflow passage. An aerosol generating device, wherein the sensor unit is disposed in the second airflow passage.

10. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device, wherein the sensor unit is positioned at a first distance from the inlet of the airflow passage and at a second distance from the heater, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

11. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device further comprising an insulating member disposed between the sensor unit and the heater to prevent heat generated from the heater from reaching the sensor unit.

12. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device further comprising a power amplification circuit that amplifies power generated as the sensor unit is pressurized and polarized.

13. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a power conversion circuit that converts the power generated as the sensor unit is pressurized and polarized; An aerosol generating device, wherein the control unit controls the power converted by the power conversion circuit to be supplied to a power source.

14. In paragraph 1, An aerosol generating device body including the above insertion space; and Further comprising a cover disposed on the aerosol generating device body so as to be movable between a first position opening the insertion space and a second position closing the insertion space; An aerosol generating device, wherein the sensor unit includes a first sensor disposed in the airflow passage, and a second sensor that generates power as the cover is pressurized while moving between the first position and the second position.

15. In paragraph 14, Further comprising a pressure transmitting member disposed between the cover and the second sensor, the pressure transmitting member pressurizing the second sensor as the cover moves; Either the cover or the pressure transmitting member includes a protruding member protruding toward the other one, An aerosol generating device, wherein the other one of the cover or the pressure transmitting member includes an insertion groove into which the protruding member is inserted.

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