CN118055708A

CN118055708A - Aerosol generating device

Info

Publication number: CN118055708A
Application number: CN202280066282.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李载珉; 柳韩瑟; 朴相珪; 安挥庆; 韩大男
Original assignee: KT&G Corp
Current assignee: KT&G Corp
Priority date: 2021-10-29
Filing date: 2022-10-12
Publication date: 2024-05-17

Abstract

An aerosol-generating device is disclosed. An aerosol-generating device comprising: a body including an insertion space; a heater configured to heat the insertion space; and a sensor mounted in the body, wherein the sensor comprises: an induction sensor including a planar sensing coil wound outwardly from a center of the sensing coil; and a capacitive sensor including a sensing electrode and disposed parallel to and adjacent to the sensing coil to cover one side of the sensing coil.

Description

Aerosol generating device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to aerosol-generating devices.

Background

An aerosol-generating device is a device that extracts certain components from a medium or substance by forming an aerosol. The medium may contain a multicomponent material. The substance contained in the medium may be a multi-component flavouring substance. For example, the substance contained in the medium may include a nicotine component, an herbal component, and/or a coffee component. Recently, various researches have been conducted on aerosol generating devices.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

It is an object of the present disclosure to address the above and other problems.

It is another object of the present disclosure to implement various sensing functions with one sensor.

It is another object of the present disclosure to eliminate noise without the need for shielding materials.

Technical proposal

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, in order to achieve the above and other objects, there is provided an aerosol-generating device comprising: a body including an insertion space; a heater configured to heat the insertion space; and a sensor mounted in the body, wherein the sensor comprises: an induction sensor including a planar sensing coil wound outwardly from a center of the sensing coil; and a capacitive sensor including a sensing electrode and disposed parallel to and adjacent to the sensing coil to cover one side of the sensing coil.

Advantageous effects of the invention

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, various sensing functions may be implemented by means of one sensor.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, noise may be removed without a shielding material.

Additional applications of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description that follows. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments (such as the preferred embodiments of the disclosure) are given by way of example only.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of an aerosol-generating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, and the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

In the following description, regarding constituent elements used in the following description, the suffixes "module" and "unit" are used only in consideration of convenience of description and have no meaning or function distinguished from each other.

In addition, in the following description of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification rather unclear. In addition, the drawings are provided only for better understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed in the present specification. Accordingly, the drawings should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

As used herein, the singular is intended to include the plural as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the aerosol-generating device may comprise a body 100. The body 100 may house various components therein. The body 100 may include an insertion space 114. The body 100 may be formed inside with a tube 110. An insertion space 114 may be formed in the tube 110. The insertion space 114 may be upwardly opened. The insertion space 114 may extend vertically. The rod 200 may be inserted into the insertion space 114. The rod 200 may include an aerosol-generating material therein. The rod 200 may be referred to as a smoke 200 or an aerosol-generating article 200.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a heater 120. The heater 120 may be disposed inside the main body 100. The heater 120 may be disposed around the insertion space 114. The heater 120 may surround the insertion space 114. As another embodiment, the heater 120 may protrude from the insertion space 114. When the rod 200 is inserted into the insertion space 114, the heater 120 may be inserted into the rod 200. As another example, the heater 120 is provided inside the rod 200 to be integrally formed with the rod 200, and may be inductively heated by an induction coil (not shown) surrounding the insertion space 114. The heater 120 may be a resistive heater or an inductively heated heater. The heater 120 may heat the insertion space 114. The heater 120 may heat the rod 200. The rod 200 may be heated by the heater 120 to evaporate the aerosol-generating material inside and generate an aerosol.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a control unit 130. The control unit 130 may be disposed inside the main body 100. The control unit 130 may control the overall operation of the aerosol-generating device components. The control unit 130 may control the operation of the heater 120, the battery 140, the cartridge 150, the sensor 160, and other components included in the aerosol-generating device. For example, the control unit 130 may control the operation of a display, a motor, etc. installed in the aerosol-generating device. The control unit 130 may include at least one processor. The processor may be implemented as an array of a plurality of logic gates, or may be implemented as a combination of a general purpose microprocessor and memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processor may be implemented in other types of hardware.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a battery 140. The battery 140 may be disposed inside the main body 100. The battery 140 may supply power for operating the various components of the aerosol-generating device. For example, the battery 140 may supply power such that the heater 120 generates heat. As another example, the battery 140 may supply power to operate the control unit 130. As another example, the battery 140 may supply power to operate the sensor 160. As another example, the battery 140 may supply power required to operate a display, motor, etc. installed in the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may further comprise a cartridge 150. The cartridge 150 may be provided at one side of the body 100. The cartridge 150 may be detachably coupled to one side of the body 100. The cartridge 150 may be disposed adjacent to the tube 110. The cartridge 150 may be disposed in parallel with the insertion space 114. The cartridge 150 may be disposed in parallel with the insertion space 114.

The cartridge 150 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may be delivered to a user via the wand 200. In other words, the aerosol generated by the cartridge 150 may move along the airflow path of the aerosol-generating device, and the airflow path allows the aerosol generated by the cartridge 150 to pass through the wand 200 and be delivered to the user. When the aerosol-generating device comprises a cartridge 150, the heater 120 may be omitted.

For example, cartridge 150 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid reservoir, a liquid delivery device, and a heating element. For example, the liquid reservoir, the liquid delivery device and the heating element may be included in the aerosol-generating device as separate modules.

The liquid reservoir may store a liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid comprising a tobacco-containing material comprising volatile tobacco flavor components; or may be a liquid comprising a non-tobacco material. The liquid reservoir may be manufactured to be detachable from the cartridge 150 or may be manufactured integrally with the cartridge 150.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvents, ethanol, plant extracts, spices, flavors, or vitamin mixtures. The flavoring may include, but is not limited to, menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, various fruit flavoring ingredients, and the like. Flavoring agents may include ingredients capable of providing a variety of fragrances to a user. The vitamin mixture may be a mixture of at least one of vitamin a, vitamin B, vitamin C, and vitamin E, but is not limited thereto. The liquid composition may also include aerosol formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

The liquid delivery device may deliver the liquid composition of the liquid reservoir to the heating element. For example, the liquid delivery device may be, but is not limited to, a core such as cotton fiber, ceramic fiber, glass fiber, or porous ceramic.

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery device. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, a ceramic heater, or the like, but is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the heating element may be composed of conductive filaments (such as nichrome wires) and may be arranged in a structure wound on the liquid delivery device. The heating element may be heated by applying an electric current and the heating element may transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element, thereby heating the liquid composition. Thus, an aerosol can be generated.

For example, the cartridge 150 may be referred to as, but is not limited to, an atomizer or a nebulizer.

Meanwhile, the aerosol-generating device may include general components in addition to the battery 140, the control unit 130, and the cartridge 150. For example, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise an induction coil (not shown) for heating the heater 120 by means of an induction current. As another example, the aerosol-generating device may comprise a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device may comprise at least one sensor (suction detection sensor, temperature sensor, smoke insertion detection sensor, etc.). Furthermore, the aerosol-generating device may be manufactured to have a structure such that: the inflow of outside air or the outflow of inside air can be allowed even in a state where the smoke 200 is inserted.

The aerosol-generating device may comprise a sensor 160. The sensor 160 may be mounted on the body 100. The sensor 160 may include an inductive sensor 161 (refer to fig. 3), and the inductive sensor 161 senses a change in inductance around it. The sensor 160 may include a capacitance sensor 165 (refer to fig. 3) that senses a change in capacitance around it. The sensor 160 may be disposed adjacent to the insertion space 114. The sensor 160 may be disposed adjacent one side of the tube 110. The sensor 160 may be oriented toward the insertion space 114. The sensor 160 may be disposed between the insertion space 114 and the cartridge 160. One surface of the sensor 160 may face toward the insertion space 114, and the other surface of the sensor 160 may face toward the cartridge 160. The sensor 160 may detect whether the stick 400 is inserted into the insertion space 114, whether the inserted stick 400 is a set dedicated stick 400, a degree of use of the stick 400, or the like. The sensor 160 may transmit the sensed information to the control unit 130.

The internal structure of the aerosol-generating device is not limited to that shown in the figures. In other words, the arrangement of the heater 120, the control unit 130, the battery 140, the cartridge 150, the sensor 160, etc. according to the design of the aerosol-generating device is not limited to the arrangement shown in the drawings, and may be changed.

The user may inhale the aerosol in a state of biting a portion of the stick 200 protruding to the outside from the insertion space 114. At this time, an aerosol may be generated while external air passes through the wand 200, and the generated aerosol may pass through the wand 200 and be delivered into the mouth of the user.

As an example, the ambient air may be introduced by means of at least one air channel formed in the aerosol-generating device. For example, the opening and closing of the air channel and/or the size of the air channel formed in the aerosol-generating device may be adjusted by the user. Thus, the amount of spray, smoking sensation, etc. can be adjusted by the user. As another example, the outside air may be introduced into the inside of the stick 200 by means of at least one hole formed in the surface of the stick 200.

Hereinafter, the substrate or ground portion shown in fig. 3, 6, 9, and 12 is shown and described to aid in understanding the present invention, and is not intended to limit the configuration or arrangement of the capacitive sensor or the inductive sensor. The capacitive sensor is merely an example of a capacitive sensor that may be implemented and is not limited to the illustrated configuration or arrangement of the capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor may be a self-capacitance sensor or a mutual capacitance sensor. The capacitive sensor shown is an embodiment of a self-capacitive sensor, but the capacitive sensor may be a mutual capacitive sensor different from that shown. Further, in the case of the inductive sensor and the sensing coil shown in fig. 3, 6, 9 and 12, only examples of possible configurations of the inductive sensor are provided and are not limited to the configuration or arrangement of the inductive sensor shown. In addition to the arrangement and shape of the sensing coils of the inductive sensor and the sensing electrodes of the capacitive sensor, it is obvious that the arrangement of the substrate may be changed.

Referring to fig. 3 to 5, the sensor 160 functions as both the inductive sensor 161 and the capacitive sensor 165, so that different detections can be made and external noise can be prevented from being introduced. Hereinafter, this will be described.

The sensor 160 may be disposed inside the body 100. The sensor 160 may be disposed outside of the tube 110 and adjacent to the tube 110. The sensor 160 may be oriented toward one side of the tube 10. The arrangement of the sensor 160 is not limited thereto.

The sensor 160 may detect the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114. The rod 200 may include a metallic material. For example, the wand 200 may include indicia 220 in the form of a thin metal film surrounding the overwrap. The sensor 160 may detect a change in capacitance and/or a change in inductance and transmit information to the control unit 130. The control unit 130 receives information from the sensor 160 to determine whether the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 114 or whether the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114 is a setting-dedicated stick 200 or whether the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114 is used, etc.

The sensor 160 may include an inductive sensor 161. The sensor 160 may include a capacitive sensor 165. The inductive sensor 161 and the capacitive sensor 165 may be disposed adjacent to each other. The inductive sensor 161 and the capacitive sensor 165 may be arranged side by side or facing each other.

The capacitive sensor 165 may include a sensing electrode 166. The sensing electrode 166 may be formed of a metal having conductivity. The capacitive sensor 165 may include a substrate 167. A sensor for detecting a change in capacitance of the sensing electrode 166 may be mounted on the substrate 167. The sensor of substrate 167 may be electrically connected to sensing electrode 166. The sensing electrode 166 may be printed or mounted on the substrate 167. Alternatively, the sensing electrode 166 may be spaced apart from the substrate 167 and electrically connected to the sensor. The capacitive sensor 165 may include a ground portion 168. The ground portion 168 may be mounted on the substrate 167 or printed. The ground portion 168 may be oriented toward the sense electrode 166 to ground the sense electrode 166. The substrate 167 may be a PCB, an FPCB, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

The sensing electrode 166 may be a self-capacitance sensor. The sensing electrode 166 may have a rectangular shape. The sensing electrode 166 may be formed of a metal thin film. For example, the sensing electrode 166 may be copper foil or copper foil. When the capacitive sensor 165 is a self-capacitive sensor, the sensing electrode 166 is a metal pad and may serve as one parallel plate, and the rod 200 inserted into the insertion space 114 may serve as the other parallel plate.

As another example, the sensing electrodes 166 may be mutual capacitance sensors. In this case, for example, the sensing electrode 166 may include a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode facing each other.

The capacitance sensed by the capacitance sensor 165 may vary depending on whether the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 114. Alternatively, the capacitance sensed by the capacitance sensor 165 may vary according to the type of the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114. For example, the type of metallic material of the tag 220 or whether the tag 220 is provided may be different depending on the type of the stick 200, and thus, a change in capacitance sensed by the capacitive sensor 165 may occur. Accordingly, the capacitive sensor 165 may sense which rod 200 is inserted into the insertion space 114. Alternatively, when the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114 is used, the capacitance sensed by the capacitance sensor 165 may be changed according to the degree of use of the stick 200. For example, when the wand 200 is used, the amount of moisture contained in the wand 200 may change, and thus a change in capacitance sensed by the capacitance sensor 165 may occur. Accordingly, the capacitive sensor 165 may determine the extent of use of the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114, or whether the stick 200 is suctioned. The control unit 130 may store the capacitance value of each state in advance by means of a memory.

The inductive sensor 161 may include a sensing coil 162. The sensing coil 162 may be formed of a conductive metal. The sensing coil 162 may be referred to as an induction coil 162. The induction sensor 161 may include a substrate 163, and the substrate 163 has a sensor for detecting a change in inductance. The inductive sensor 161 may be mounted on the substrate 163 or printed. Alternatively, the induction sensor 161 may be electrically connected to the substrate 163 while being spaced apart therefrom. The substrate 163 may be a PCB, an FPCB, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The substrate 163 may be spaced apart from the sensing coil 162 in electrical connection without having to be arranged parallel to the capacitive sensor 165 as shown.

When the magnetic field around the sensing coil 162 (current flows through the sensing coil 162 according to electromagnetic induction) changes, the characteristics of the current flowing through the sensing coil 162 may change. Depending on whether the rod 200 is inserted into the insertion space 114, the current flowing in the sensing coil 162 may induce eddy currents in the marker 220 of the rod 200. The eddy currents flowing through the tag 220 may again change characteristics of the current (such as the frequency of the current flowing through the sense coil 162 and the inductance value of the coil, etc.) through mutual inductance with the sense coil 162. The induction sensor 161 may detect a change in a characteristic value of the current flowing through the sensing coil 162 or a change in inductance. The inductive sensor 161 may transmit information about the sensed inductance to the control unit 130. The control unit 130 may determine whether the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 114 or the type of the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114 according to the inductance information received from the induction sensor 161. The control unit 130 may store the inductance value according to each state in advance by means of a memory.

Since the capacitive sensor 165 is more sensitive to changes in humidity than the inductive sensor 161, the capacitive sensor 165 may be more specialized in determining the extent of use of the wand 200 or whether the wand 200 is being aspirated. Since the inductive sensor 161 is more sensitive to the movement response of the material having high magnetic permeability than the capacitive sensor 165, the inductive sensor 161 may be dedicated to determining whether the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 114 or the type of stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114.

The sensing coil 162 may be disposed facing the tube 110 and/or the insertion space 114. The sensing electrode 166 may be disposed facing the tube 110 and/or the insertion space 114. The sensing coil 162 may be disposed between the insertion space 114 and the sensing electrode 166. The sensing coil 162 may be adjacent to the insertion space 114 than the sensing electrode 166.

The sensing coil 162 may be wound to expand radially outward from the central axis. The central axis of the sensing coil 162 may be oriented toward the insertion space 114. The sensing coil 162 may overlap the front surface of the capacitive sensor 165. The sensing electrode 166 of the capacitive sensor 165 may overlap the rear surface of the sensing coil 162. The capacitive sensor 165 may cover the rear surface of the sensing coil 162. The sensing coil 162 and the sensing electrode 166 may be arranged side by side or face each other. The outer peripheral shape of the sensing coil 162 and the outer peripheral shape of the sensing electrode 166 may correspond to each other. For example, the outer peripheral shape of the sensing coil 162 and the sensing electrode 166 may have a rectangular shape. Thus, the sensing coil 162 and the sensing electrode 166 may overlap each other.

When the sensing coils 162 are relatively densely wound with a small interval width, since the sensing coils 162 can shield an electric field flowing into the capacitive sensor 165, the capacitive sensor 165 is disturbed from sensing a capacitance change around the insertion space 114. Accordingly, the sensing coil 162 may be relatively loosely wound at a predetermined interval width so as not to shield the sensing of the insertion space 114 by the capacitive sensor 165.

Thus, the capacitive sensor 165 and the inductive sensor 161 may perform a variety of different sensing functions simultaneously in one sensor 160. Further, since the capacitance sensor 165 shields the magnetic field, noise can be prevented from being generated in the induction sensor 161 from the outside. The sensor 160 sensing the insertion space 114 is an exemplary embodiment, but the sensing target is not limited thereto.

The sensor 160 may surround the tube 110. The sensor 160 may have a cylindrical shape. The substrates 163 and 162 of the sensor 160 may include FPCBs.

The sensor 160 may also include a shield ring 164. A shield ring 164 may surround the inductive sensor 161. The shield ring 164 may extend along the outer circumference of the sensing coil 161 in the direction in which the sensing coil 161 is wound. The shield ring 164 may shield the magnetic field from the inductive sensor 161 and collect the direction of the magnetic field into the insertion space 114. For example, the shield ring 164 may be formed of a material such as ferrite, nanocrystal, or metal material, however, the material of the shield ring 164 is not limited thereto.

The sensor 160 may further include a shielding member 169. The shielding member 169 may overlap the rear of the capacitive sensor 165. The shielding member 169 may be, for example, a conductive material such as aluminum and copper or a carbon material such as carbon fiber or carbon nanotube. The shielding member 169 may shield noise from the rear side of the capacitive sensor 165. The shielding member 169 may have a porous metal mesh shape. The shielding member 169 may have a mesh shape. When the shielding member 169 has a porous net shape, the capacitance is relatively lower than that of the metal plate, and thus the shielding member 169 may be disposed closer to the capacitance sensor 165 than the metal foil. Accordingly, the shielding member 169 may be printed on the rear side of the substrate 167, and may be integrally formed with the capacitive sensor 165.

Referring to fig. 6 to 8, in the sensor 160, the shielding member 169 may be omitted in the embodiment of fig. 3 to 5. The body 100 (see fig. 1 and 2) may further include a partition wall 111. The partition wall 111 may be spaced apart from the tube 110 at a predetermined interval. For example, the tube 110 and the partition wall 111 may extend longer in the vertical direction. The cartridge 150 may be coupled to the partition wall 111. The cartridge 150 may be disposed in parallel with the tube 110. The sensor 160 may be disposed between the tube 110 and the partition wall 111. The sensor 160 may be disposed between the insertion space 114 and the cartridge 150.

The inductive sensor 161 and the capacitive sensor 165 may be oriented in different directions. For example, inductive sensor 161 may be oriented toward insertion space 114 and capacitive sensor 165 may be oriented toward cartridge 150. As another example, inductive sensor 161 may be oriented toward cartridge 150 and capacitive sensor 165 may be oriented toward insertion space 114.

The sensing coil 162 of the inductive sensor 161 may be relatively tightly wound to shield an electric field flowing from the insertion space 114 into the capacitive sensor 165. At this time, the sensing coil 162 may function the same as the metal shielding member formed with the perforation.

Accordingly, the induction sensor 161 can sense whether the stick 200 is inserted into the insertion space 114 and the type of the stick 200 inserted into the insertion space 114 by means of the inductance change. In addition, the capacitance sensor 165 may sense whether the cartridge 150 is mounted on the body 100 and the amount of liquid stored in the cartridge 150 by means of capacitance change.

Accordingly, the sensing coil 162 can shield the capacitive sensor 165 from external noise and prevent noise from being introduced into the capacitive sensor 165 from the insertion space 114 side. In addition, the sensing electrode 166 of the capacitance sensor 165 may shield the inductance coil 161 from external noise, so that noise can be prevented from being introduced from the cartridge 150 side toward the inductance sensor 161.

Referring to fig. 9 to 11, the first induction sensor 161 may include a first sensing coil 1621 and a substrate 163. As shown, the substrate 163 is not necessarily disposed facing the capacitive sensor 165. The first sensing coil 1621 and the capacitive sensor 165 may face each other or may be disposed parallel to each other. The second inductive sensor 161' may include a second sensing coil 1622. The second sensing coil 1622 may be mounted or printed on the substrate 167 of the capacitive sensor 165. In this case, a sensor for sensing a change in inductance of the second sensing coil 1622 may be mounted or printed on the substrate 167. In this case, the second induction sensor 161' may include a second sensing coil 1622 and a substrate 167, and a sensor sensing a change in inductance of the second sensing coil 1622 is mounted on the substrate 167. This is merely an example, and it is apparent that the second sensing coil 1622 may be coupled to another substrate than the substrate of the capacitive sensor 165.

The sensor 160 may be disposed between the insertion space 114 and the space in which the cartridge 150 is located. The capacitive sensor 165 may be disposed between a pair of first and second sensing coils 1621, 1622. The first sensing coil 1621 may cover one surface of the capacitive sensor 165 and the second sensing coil 1622 may cover the other surface of the capacitive sensor 165. The first sensing coil 1621, the second sensing coil 1622, and the sensing electrode 166 may be disposed side-by-side or facing each other. The first sensing coil 1621 and the sensing electrode 166 may face one side and the second sensing coil 1622 may face the other side. For example, the first sensing coil 1621 and the sensing electrode 166 may face toward the insertion space 114, and the second sensing coil 1622 may face toward the cartridge 150. The first sensing coil 1621 and the second sensing coil 1622 may be wound to expand radially outward relative to the central axis.

The first sensing coil 1621 may have fewer turns than the second sensing coil 1622. The width of the first sensing coil 1621 wound at predetermined intervals may be greater than the width of the second sensing coil 1622. In contrast to the second sensing coil 1622, the first sensing coil 1621 may be relatively unshielded from the capacitive sensor 165 and the second sensing coil 1622 may be shielded from the capacitive sensor 165. That is, the inductive sensor can sense the inductance variation from the insertion space 114 side by means of the first sensing coil 1621, and sense the inductance variation from the cartridge 150 side by means of the second sensing coil 1622. In addition, the capacitive sensor may sense the amount of capacitance change from the axis of insertion space 114 by means of sensing electrode 166.

Referring to fig. 12 and 13, the first sensing coil 1621 and the sensing electrode 166 may face toward the cartridge 150, and the second sensing coil 1622 may face toward the insertion space 114. The induction sensor may sense an inductance variation amount from the cartridge 150 side by means of the first sensing coil 1621, and may sense an inductance variation amount from the insertion space 114 side by means of the second sensing coil 1622. In addition, the capacitance sensor may sense the capacitance variation amount from the cartridge 150 side by means of the sensing electrode 166.

Referring to fig. 1 to 13, an aerosol-generating device comprises: a body including an insertion space; a heater configured to heat the insertion space; and a sensor mounted in the body, wherein the sensor comprises: an induction sensor including a planar sensing coil wound outwardly from a center of the sensing coil; and a capacitive sensor including a sensing electrode and disposed parallel to and adjacent to the sensing coil to cover one side of the sensing coil.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the sensing coil and the sensing electrode may be disposed to face the insertion space, and the sensing coil is disposed between the insertion space and the sensing electrode; wherein the capacitive sensor may be configured to sense a change in capacitance of the insertion space; and wherein the inductive sensor may be configured to sense a change in inductance of the insertion space

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the sensing electrode may shield the sensing coil from a magnetic field.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a shielding member disposed opposite to the induction sensor with respect to the capacitive sensor and covering one side of the capacitive sensor.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a cartridge coupled with the body adjacent to the insertion space, wherein the sensor may be disposed between the insertion space and the cartridge, wherein the sensing coil faces one of the insertion space and the cartridge, and the sensing electrode faces the other of the insertion space and the cartridge, wherein the inductive sensor may be configured to sense an inductance change, and wherein the capacitance sensor may be configured to sense a capacitance change.

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the sensing coil is wound to provide electrical shielding of the sensing electrode from an electric field, wherein the sensing electrode provides magnetic shielding of the sensing coil from a magnetic field.

Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, the aerosol-generating device may further comprise a cartridge coupled with the body adjacent to the insertion space, wherein the sensor is disposed between the insertion space and the cartridge, wherein the inductive sensor further comprises: a first inductive sensor comprising a first sensing coil; and a second inductive sensor comprising a second sensing coil arranged parallel to the first sensing coil, wherein the sensing electrode is disposed between the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil.

Further, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the first and second sensing coils are each plane-wound, and a pitch between turns of the first sensing coil is greater than a pitch between turns of the second sensing coil.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the first inductive sensor is configured to sense an inductance change of the insertion space by means of the first sensing coil, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to sense a capacitance change of the insertion space by means of the sensing electrode, and wherein the second inductive sensor is configured to sense an inductance change of the cartridge by means of the second sensing coil.

Additionally, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the first inductive sensor is configured to sense an inductance change of the cartridge by means of the first sensing coil, wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to sense a capacitance change of the cartridge by means of the sensing electrode, and wherein the second inductive sensor is configured to sense an inductance change of the insertion space by means of the second sensing coil.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the sensing electrode and the sensing coil may have peripheral shapes corresponding to each other.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure described above, or other embodiments, are not mutually exclusive or different. Any or all of the elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined pairwise or with each other in configuration or function.

For example, configuration "a" described in one embodiment of the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings and configuration "B" described in another embodiment of the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings may be combined with each other. That is, although a combination between configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible unless a case where the combination is not possible is described.

While these embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More specifically, various alterations and modifications in the constituent parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement are possible within the scope of the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating device comprising:

a body including an insertion space;

a heater configured to heat the insertion space; and

A sensor mounted in the body,

Wherein the sensor comprises:

An induction sensor including a planar sensing coil wound outwardly from a center of the sensing coil; and

A capacitive sensor including a sensing electrode and disposed parallel to and adjacent to the sensing coil to cover one side of the sensing coil.

2. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1,

Wherein the sensing coil and the sensing electrode are disposed facing the insertion space, and the sensing coil is disposed between the insertion space and the sensing electrode;

wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to sense a change in capacitance of the insertion space; and

Wherein the inductive sensor is configured to sense a change in inductance of the insertion space.

3. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, wherein the sensing electrode shields the sensing coil from the magnetic field.

4. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 2, further comprising a shielding member arranged opposite the inductive sensor with respect to the capacitive sensor and covering one side of the capacitive sensor.

5. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, further comprising a cartridge coupled with the body adjacent the insertion space,

Wherein the sensor is disposed between the insertion space and the cartridge,

Wherein the sensing coil faces one of the insertion space and the cartridge and the sensing electrode faces the other of the insertion space and the cartridge,

Wherein the inductive sensor is configured to sense a change in inductance, and

Wherein the capacitive sensor is configured to sense a change in capacitance.

6. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5,

Wherein the sensing coil is wound to provide electrical shielding of the sensing electrode from an electric field,

Wherein the sense electrode provides magnetic shielding of the magnetic field for the sense coil.

7. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 5, further comprising a cartridge coupled with the body adjacent the insertion space,

Wherein the sensor is disposed between the insertion space and the cartridge,

Wherein, the inductive sensor further includes:

A first inductive sensor comprising a first sensing coil; and

A second inductive sensor comprising a second sensing coil arranged parallel to the first sensing coil,

Wherein the sensing electrode is disposed between the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil.

8. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 7, wherein the first and second sensing coils are each wound in a plane and the spacing between turns of the first sensing coil is greater than the spacing between turns of the second sensing coil.

9. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 8,

Wherein the first inductive sensor is configured to sense an inductance change of the insertion space by means of the first sensing coil,

Wherein the capacitance sensor is configured to sense a capacitance change of the insertion space by means of the sensing electrode, and

Wherein the second inductive sensor is configured to sense a change in inductance of the cartridge by means of the second sensing coil.

10. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 8,

Wherein the first inductive sensor is configured to sense a change in inductance of the cartridge by means of the first sensing coil,

Wherein the capacitance sensor is configured to sense a change in capacitance of the cartridge by means of the sensing electrode, and

Wherein the second inductive sensor is configured to sense an inductance change of the insertion space by means of the second sensing coil.

11. An aerosol-generating device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing electrode and the sensing coil have peripheral shapes corresponding to each other.