KR102183093B1 - Method and apparatus for variably controlling temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

The aerosol generating apparatus acquires a target temperature value of the heater based on the temperature profile of the heater, and receives a signal representing the temperature of the heater from the temperature sensor. The average value of the signal received for a predetermined time is calculated, and the average value of the signal and the target temperature value are compared. Based on the comparison result, the duty value of the PWM signal output from the Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) is adjusted.

Description

Method and apparatus for variably controlling temperature

It relates to a method and apparatus capable of variably controlling the temperature. Specifically, the present invention relates to a temperature control method and apparatus capable of variably controlling the temperature of a heater in real time.

In recent years, there is an increasing demand for alternative methods to overcome the shortcomings of general cigarettes. For example, as an aerosol-generating material in a cigarette is heated, not a method of generating an aerosol by burning a cigarette, there is an increasing demand for a method of generating an aerosol. Accordingly, research on a heated cigarette or a heated aerosol generating device is being actively conducted.

Conventional aerosol generating apparatuses have very high power supplied during the start of use or during the preheating stage, and thus the battery of the aerosol generating apparatus consumes severe power and tends to generate excessive heat. In addition, there is a problem in that the heater is operated at a set temperature regardless of the type of the aerosol-generating material and the user's preference, so that an optimal sense of inhalation cannot be provided. In addition, even if the temperature of the heater changes according to variables such as external temperature and humidity, there is a problem in that the heater is operated at a set temperature without reflecting it in real time.

Accordingly, research on a heated aerosol generating device is actively being conducted.

It is to provide a method and apparatus capable of variably controlling the temperature. Even if the temperature of the heater changes according to variables such as external temperature and humidity, the heater can be controlled by detecting the temperature in real time and adjusting the PWM signal output from the pulse width modulator (PWM) variably according to the temperature profile. I can.

The technical problem to be achieved by this embodiment is not limited to the technical problems as described above, and other technical problems may be inferred from the following embodiments.

As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical problem, a first aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for controlling a temperature of an aerosol generating apparatus, comprising: obtaining a target temperature value of the heater determined based on a temperature profile of the heater; Receiving a signal representing the temperature of the heater from a temperature sensor; calculating an average value of the signal received for a predetermined time, and comparing the average value of the signal with the target temperature value; Based on the comparison result, It may provide a method including; adjusting a duty value of a PWM signal output from a pulse width modulator (PWM).

A second aspect of the present disclosure is a method for controlling a temperature of an aerosol generating device, comprising: obtaining a target temperature value of the heater determined based on a temperature profile of the heater; a pulse width modulator (PWM) according to the target temperature value. Setting a duty control range of a PWM signal output from a width modulator); receiving a signal indicating a temperature of the heater from a temperature sensor; It is possible to provide a method comprising: calculating a slope value of the signal received for a predetermined time; adjusting the set duty control range based on the slope value.

In addition, a third aspect of the present disclosure includes a heater for heating an aerosol-generating material inserted in an aerosol-generating device; A temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the heater; And a control unit including a pulse width modulator (PWM); comprising, in an aerosol generating apparatus, the control unit acquires a target temperature value of the heater determined based on a temperature profile of the heater, A signal representing the temperature of the heater is received from the temperature sensor, an average value of the signal received for a predetermined time is calculated, the average value of the signal and the target temperature value are compared, and based on the comparison result, the It is possible to provide an aerosol generating apparatus that adjusts a duty value of a PWM signal output from a pulse width modulator.

In addition, a fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes a heater for heating an aerosol-generating material inserted in an aerosol-generating device; A temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the heater; And a control unit including a pulse width modulator (PWM); comprising, in an aerosol generating apparatus, the control unit acquires a target temperature value of the heater determined based on a temperature profile of the heater, Set a duty control range of the PWM signal output from the pulse width modulator (PWM) according to the target temperature value, receive a signal representing the temperature of the heater from the temperature sensor, and received for a predetermined time. It is possible to provide an aerosol generating apparatus that calculates a slope value of the signal and adjusts the set duty control range based on the slope value.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the temperature control characteristics of a general aerosol generating device.
2 to 4 are views showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.
5 is a diagram showing an example of a cigarette.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling a temperature in an aerosol generating device.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a temperature by adjusting a duty value of a PWM signal in an aerosol generating device.
8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method of controlling temperature in an aerosol generating device.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a temperature by adjusting a duty control range of a PWM signal in an aerosol generating device.
10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an aerosol generating device.

The terms used in the embodiments have selected general terms that are currently widely used as possible while considering functions in the present invention, but this may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a technician working in the field, the emergence of new technologies, and the like. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the terms will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the terms used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall contents of the present invention, not a simple name of the term.

When a part of the specification is said to "include" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included rather than excluding other components unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as "... unit" and "... module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the temperature control characteristics of a general aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 1, when a user presses a button provided in the aerosol generating device to use the aerosol generating device, the preheating step starts to rapidly raise the temperature up to the time point t of the time change axis. When the preheating step is finished at the change point (c) of the temperature change axis, the temperature decreases between the change point (t) and the change point (t+1) of the time axis until the temperature change point (c+2). After that, the evaporation temperature is maintained while rising with a fine slope from the temperature axis change point (c+2) to the change point (c+1) from the time axis change point (t+1) to the change point (t+2). . As the use ends at the point of change in the time axis (t+2), the temperature drops rapidly.

1 is an example of a temperature profile of an aerosol generating device, but is not limited thereto. The user may set and store the temperature profile differently depending on the type of cigarette or the user's smoking preference. In addition, the controller may determine the temperature profile based on the user's smoking habit.

2 to 4 are views showing examples in which a cigarette is inserted into an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 2, an aerosol generating apparatus 10000 includes a battery 11000, a control unit 12000, and a heater 13000. 3 and 4, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 further includes a vaporizer 14000. In addition, a cigarette 20,000 may be inserted in the inner space of the aerosol generating device 10000.

In the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, only the components related to this embodiment are shown. Accordingly, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art related to the present embodiment that other general-purpose components other than the components shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 may be further included in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000. .

In addition, in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is shown that the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 includes the heater 13000, but the heater 13000 may be omitted if necessary.

In FIG. 2, the battery 11000, the controller 12000, and the heater 13000 are shown as being arranged in a line. In addition, in FIG. 3, it is shown that the battery 11000, the control unit 12000, the vaporizer 14000, and the heater 13000 are arranged in a line. In addition, in FIG. 4, it is shown that the vaporizer 14000 and the heater 13000 are arranged in parallel. However, the internal structure of the aerosol generating device 10000 is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. In other words, according to the design of the aerosol generating apparatus 10000, the arrangement of the battery 11000, the control unit 12000, the heater 13000, and the vaporizer 14000 may be changed.

When the cigarette (20000) is inserted into the aerosol generating device (10000), the aerosol generating device (10000) operates the heater (13000) and/or the vaporizer (14000), and the cigarette (20000) and/or the vaporizer (14000) It can generate an aerosol from. The aerosol generated by the heater 13000 and/or the vaporizer 14000 passes through the cigarette 20000 and is delivered to the user.

If necessary, the aerosol generating device 10000 may heat the heater 13000 even when the cigarette 20,000 is not inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000.

The battery 11000 supplies power used to operate the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, the battery 11000 may supply electric power so that the heater 13000 or the vaporizer 14000 can be heated, and the control unit 12000 may supply electric power necessary for the operation. In addition, the battery 11000 may supply power required to operate a display, a sensor, a motor, and the like installed in the aerosol generating device 10000.

The controller 12000 overall controls the operation of the aerosol generating device 10000. Specifically, the controller 12000 controls the operation of the battery 11000, the heater 13000, and the vaporizer 14000 as well as other components included in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000. In addition, the controller 12000 may determine whether the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 is in an operable state by checking the states of each of the components of the aerosol generating apparatus 10000.

The control unit 12000 includes 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 a memory in which a program executable in the microprocessor is stored. In addition, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present embodiment pertains that it may be implemented with other types of hardware.

The heater 13000 may be heated by power supplied from the battery 11000. For example, when the cigarette is inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000, the heater 13000 may be located outside the cigarette. Accordingly, the heated heater 13000 may increase the temperature of the aerosol-generating material in the cigarette.

The heater 13000 may be an electric resistive heater. For example, the heater 13000 may include an electrically conductive track, and the heater 13000 may be heated as an electric current flows through the electrically conductive track. However, the heater 13000 is not limited to the above-described example, and may be applicable without limitation as long as it can be heated to a desired temperature. Here, the desired temperature may be preset in the aerosol generating device 10000 or may be set to a desired temperature by the user.

Meanwhile, as another example, the heater 13000 may be an induction heating type heater. Specifically, the heater 13000 may include an electrically conductive coil for heating the cigarette by an induction heating method, and the cigarette may include a susceptor that can be heated by an induction heating type heater.

For example, the heater 13000 may include a tubular heating element, a plate-shaped heating element, a needle-shaped heating element, or a rod-shaped heating element, and according to the shape of the heating element, the inside or outside of the cigarette 20,000 Can be heated.

In addition, a plurality of heaters 13000 may be disposed in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000. In this case, the plurality of heaters 13000 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 20,000 or may be disposed outside the cigarette 20,000. In addition, some of the plurality of heaters 13000 may be disposed to be inserted into the cigarette 20,000, and the rest may be disposed outside the cigarette 20,000. In addition, the shape of the heater 13000 is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and may be manufactured in various shapes.

The vaporizer 14000 may generate an aerosol by heating the liquid composition, and the generated aerosol may pass through the cigarette 20000 and be delivered to the user. In other words, the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14000 can move along the airflow passage of the aerosol generating device 10000, and the aerosol generated by the vaporizer 14000 passes through the cigarette and is delivered to the user. It can be configured to be.

For example, the vaporizer 14000 may include a liquid storage unit, a liquid delivery means, and a heating element, but is not limited thereto. For example, the liquid reservoir, the liquid delivery means and the heating element may be included in the aerosol generating device 10000 as independent modules.

The liquid storage unit may store the liquid composition. For example, the liquid composition may be a liquid including a tobacco-containing material including a volatile tobacco flavor component, or may be a liquid including a non-tobacco material. The liquid storage unit may be manufactured to be detachable/attached from the vaporizer 14000, or may be manufactured integrally with the vaporizer 14000.

For example, the liquid composition may include water, solvent, ethanol, plant extract, flavor, flavor, or vitamin mixture. The fragrance may include menthol, peppermint, spearmint oil, and various fruit flavoring ingredients, but is not limited thereto. Flavoring agents may include ingredients that can provide a variety of flavors or flavors to the 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. In addition, the liquid composition may contain an aerosol former such as glycerin and propylene glycol.

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

The heating element is an element for heating the liquid composition delivered by the liquid delivery means. For example, the heating element may be a metal heating wire, a metal heating plate, or a ceramic heater, but is not limited thereto. Further, the heating element may be composed of a conductive filament such as a nichrome wire, and may be arranged in a structure wound around a liquid delivery means. The heating element can be heated by an electric current supply and can transfer heat to the liquid composition in contact with the heating element to heat the liquid composition. As a result, an aerosol can be produced.

For example, the vaporizer 14000 may be referred to as a cartomizer or an atomizer, but is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may further include general-purpose components in addition to the battery 11000, the control unit 12000, the heater 13000, and the vaporizer 14000. For example, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may include a display capable of outputting visual information and/or a motor for outputting tactile information. In addition, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may include at least one sensor (puff detection sensor, temperature detection sensor, cigarette insertion detection sensor, etc.). In addition, the aerosol generating device 10000 may be manufactured in a structure in which external air or internal gas can flow out even when the cigarette 20,000 is inserted.

Although not shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 may constitute a system together with a separate cradle. For example, the cradle may be used to charge the battery 11000 of the aerosol generating device 10000. Alternatively, the heater 13000 may be heated while the cradle and the aerosol generating device 10000 are coupled.

Cigarette (20000) may be similar to a general combustion type cigarette. For example, the cigarette 20000 may be divided into a first part including an aerosol-generating material and a second part including a filter. Alternatively, an aerosol-generating material may also be included in the second portion of the cigarette 20,000. For example, an aerosol-generating material made in the form of granules or capsules may be inserted into the second part.

The entire first part may be inserted into the aerosol generating device 10000 and the second part may be exposed to the outside. Alternatively, only a part of the first part may be inserted into the interior of the aerosol generating apparatus 10000, or the entire first part and a part of the second part may be inserted. The user may inhale the aerosol while the second part is put into the mouth. At this time, the aerosol is generated when external air passes through the first portion, and the generated aerosol passes through the second portion and is delivered to the user's mouth.

As an example, external air may be introduced through at least one air passage formed in the aerosol generating device 10000. For example, opening and closing of the air passage formed in the aerosol generating apparatus 10000 and/or the size of the air passage may be adjusted by the user. Accordingly, the amount of atomization and the feeling of smoking can be adjusted by the user. As another example, external air may be introduced into the cigarette 20,000 through at least one hole formed on the surface of the cigarette 20,000.

Hereinafter, an example of the cigarette 20000 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cigarette 20000 includes a cigarette rod 21000 and a filter rod 22000. The first portion 21000 described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 includes a cigarette rod 21000, and the second portion 32000 includes a filter rod 22000.

In FIG. 5, the filter rod 22000 is illustrated as a single segment, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the filter rod 22000 may be composed of a plurality of segments. For example, the filter rod 22000 may include a first segment for cooling the aerosol and a second segment for filtering a predetermined component contained in the aerosol. In addition, if necessary, the filter rod 22000 may further include at least one segment performing other functions.

The cigarette 20000 may be wrapped by at least one wrapper 24000. At least one hole through which external air flows or internal gas flows may be formed in the wrapper 24000. As an example, the cigarette 20000 may be wrapped by one wrapper 24000. As another example, the cigarette 20000 may be overlapped by two or more wrappers 24000. For example, the tobacco rod 21000 may be wrapped by a first wrapper, and the filter rod 22000 may be wrapped by a second wrapper. In addition, the cigarette rod 21000 and the filter rod 22000 packaged by individual wrappers are combined, and the entire cigarette 20,000 may be repackaged by the third wrapper. If each of the tobacco rod 21000 or the filter rod 22000 is composed of a plurality of segments, each segment may be wrapped by a separate wrapper. In addition, the entire cigarette 20000 in which segments packaged by individual wrappers are combined may be repackaged by another wrapper.

The tobacco rod 21000 includes an aerosol generating material. For example, the aerosol-generating material may include at least one of glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, the tobacco rod 21000 may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and/or organic acids. In addition, a flavoring liquid such as menthol or a moisturizing agent may be added to the tobacco rod 21000 by spraying it on the tobacco rod 21000.

The tobacco rod 21000 may be manufactured in various ways. For example, the tobacco rod 21000 may be made of a sheet or may be made of a strand. In addition, the tobacco rod 21000 may be made of a cut filler from which a tobacco sheet is chopped. In addition, the tobacco rod 21000 may be surrounded by a heat conducting material. For example, the heat conducting material may be a metal foil such as aluminum foil, but is not limited thereto. For example, the heat conduction material surrounding the tobacco rod 21000 may evenly disperse heat transmitted to the tobacco rod 21000 to improve thermal conductivity applied to the tobacco rod, thereby improving tobacco taste. . In addition, the heat conducting material surrounding the tobacco rod 21000 may function as a susceptor heated by an induction heating type heater. In this case, although not shown in the drawings, the tobacco rod 21000 may further include an additional susceptor in addition to the heat conducting material surrounding the outside.

The filter rod 22000 may be a cellulose acetate filter. On the other hand, the shape of the filter rod 22000 is not limited. For example, the filter rod 22000 may be a cylindrical rod or a tube-type rod including a hollow inside. Also, the filter rod 22000 may be a recess type rod. If the filter rod 22000 is composed of a plurality of segments, at least one of the plurality of segments may be manufactured in a different shape.

The filter rod 22000 may be manufactured to generate flavor. As an example, the flavoring liquid may be sprayed on the filter rod 22000, or a separate fiber coated with the flavoring liquid may be inserted into the filter rod 22000.

Further, at least one capsule 23000 may be included in the filter rod 22000. Here, the capsule 23000 may perform a function of generating flavor or a function of generating an aerosol. For example, the capsule 23000 may have a structure in which a liquid containing perfume is wrapped with a film. The capsule 23000 may have a spherical or cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

If a segment for cooling an aerosol is included in the filter rod 22000, the cooling segment may be made of a polymer material or a biodegradable polymer material. For example, the cooling segment may be made of pure polylactic acid only, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the cooling segment may be made of a cellulose acetate filter having a plurality of holes. However, the cooling segment is not limited to the above-described example, and as long as the aerosol can perform the function of cooling, it may be applicable without limitation.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 5, the cigarette 20,000 according to an embodiment may further include a shear filter. The shear filter is located on one side of the tobacco rod 21000 opposite to the filter rod 22000. The shear filter can prevent the tobacco rod 21000 from escaping to the outside, and prevent the aerosol liquefied from the tobacco rod 21000 from flowing into the aerosol generating device (10000 in FIGS. 2 to 4) during smoking. have.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of controlling a temperature in an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 610, the aerosol generating apparatus may acquire a target temperature value of the heater determined based on the temperature profile of the heater.

The temperature profile may be input from the outside through the wireless transmission/reception unit of the aerosol generating device. In addition, the temperature profile may be determined based on the user's smoking habit. The aerosol generating apparatus may control an amount of power supplied to the heater and a time at which the power is supplied so that the heater is heated to a predetermined temperature or maintained at an appropriate temperature according to a set temperature profile.

The controller may determine a target temperature value based on the temperature profile of the heater. Specifically, in the temperature profile of the heater as shown in FIG. 1, if a target point is determined at a predetermined time interval from a current point of time on a time axis, the temperature value at the target point may be determined as the target temperature value. For example, in FIG. 1, if the time axis change point t is the current time point and the time axis change point t+1 is the target time point, the change point c+2 of the temperature axis may be determined as the target temperature value.

In operation 620, the aerosol generating apparatus may receive a signal indicating the temperature of the heater from the temperature sensor.

The temperature sensor may sense the temperature of the heater, generate temperature measurement information, and provide it to the controller. The temperature sensor may be independently provided in the aerosol generating device to measure the temperature of the heater. Alternatively, the temperature sensor may be attached to the heater to detect a change in thermal resistance of the heater to measure the temperature.

Meanwhile, the controller may convert an analog signal output from the temperature sensor into a digital signal in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and receive the converted digital signal as a signal representing the temperature of the heater.

The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is connected to a temperature sensor and may convert an analog signal output from the temperature sensor into a digital signal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ADC sampling time may be 5sec and 20 samples/sec. The numerical value applied to the above embodiment is not limited, and may be changed according to the embodiment.

The sampling signal output from the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may be accumulated and stored in an ADC window buffer.

In step 630, the aerosol generating apparatus may calculate an average value of the signal received for a predetermined time, and compare the average value of the signal with a target temperature value.

The control unit determines the temperature of the heater measured by the temperature sensor. The average value of the sampled signal obtained by converting it to a signal can be calculated. For example, if the ADC sampling time (ADC Sampling time) is 5sec and 20 samples/sec, 100 sampling signals may be stored in the ADC Window Buffer. The control unit may receive 100 sampling signals and calculate an average value.

The controller may compare a magnitude relationship between the average value of the calculated sampling signal and the target temperature value acquired based on the set temperature profile.

In operation 640, the aerosol generating apparatus may adjust a duty value of a PWM signal output from a pulse width modulator (PWM) based on the comparison result.

The control unit may include a pulse width modulator (PWM). Pulse width modulation is a modulation technique that controls an analog circuit with the digital output of a processor. The time when the signal is on within one period T (period) is called the pulse width, and when the ratio of the on and off time is called the duty, the duty value is the pulse width )*100/T(period). The larger the duty value, the larger the ratio of the on time in the entire period T, so the average power delivered to the load increases. Accordingly, the control unit may adjust the power supplied to the heater by adjusting the duty value of the pulse width modulator.

Details of adjusting the duty value of the PWM signal based on the comparison result of step 630 in the aerosol generating device will be described later in FIG. 7.

On the other hand, the control unit determines a target temperature value of the heater based on the temperature profile of the heater, and the range of values that the duty value of the pulse width modulator (PWM) can have based on the target temperature value, that is, the duty ) The control range can be determined. When adjusting the duty value based on the comparison result in step 630, the control unit may adjust the duty value so that the duty value is maintained within a preset duty control range.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a temperature by adjusting a duty value of a PWM signal in an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 710, the aerosol generating apparatus may acquire a target temperature value of the heater determined based on the temperature profile of the heater.

In step 720, the aerosol generating device may receive a signal representing the temperature of the heater from a temperature sensor.

In step 730, the aerosol generating apparatus may calculate an average value of the signal received for a predetermined time, and compare the average value of the signal with the target temperature value. In step 730, the aerosol generating apparatus compares the average value of the signal and the target temperature value, and proceeds to step 740 when the average value of the signal and the target temperature value are the same. If the average value of the signal is less than the target temperature value, the process proceeds to step 750, and if the average value of the signal is greater than the target temperature value, the process proceeds to step 760.

Meanwhile, since steps 710 to 730 are the same steps as steps 610 to 630 of FIG. 6, overlapping contents will be omitted for convenience.

In step 740, the aerosol generating device maintains a duty value. When the average value of the sampling signal and the target temperature value are the same, the controller determines that the current temperature is properly controlled. Therefore, the current temperature is maintained by maintaining the duty value of the PWM signal.

In step 750, the aerosol generating apparatus increases the duty value until the duty value reaches the upper limit of the duty control range. If the average value of the sampling signal is less than the target temperature value, the controller determines that the current temperature is lower than the desired temperature, and increases the duty value of the PWM signal to increase the temperature of the heater. When the duty value reaches the upper limit of the duty control range, the duty value is maintained, so that the temperature of the heater is maintained in an elevated state.

In step 760, the aerosol generating apparatus decreases the duty value until the duty value reaches the lower limit value of the duty control range. If the average value of the sampling signal is greater than the target temperature value, the controller determines that the temperature of the heater is higher than the temperature to be maintained, and decreases the temperature of the heater by decreasing the duty value. When the duty value reaches the lower limit of the control range, the duty value is maintained.

8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method of controlling temperature in an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 8, in operation 810, the aerosol generating apparatus may acquire a target temperature value of the heater determined based on the temperature profile of the heater. Meanwhile, since step 810 is the same step as step 610 of FIG. 6, overlapping content will be omitted for convenience.

In step 820, the aerosol generating apparatus sets a duty control range of a signal output from a pulse width modulator (PWM) based on the target temperature value. Specifically, when determining the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the duty control range, a target temperature value based on a temperature profile or a difference between a current temperature value and a target temperature value may be considered.

In operation 830, the aerosol generating apparatus may receive a signal indicating the temperature of the heater from a temperature sensor. On the other hand, step 830 is the same step as step 620 of FIG. 6, and therefore, overlapping content will be omitted for convenience.

In step 840, the aerosol generating device calculates a slope value of the signal received for a predetermined time.

In the above equation, Max denotes the maximum signal value, Min denotes the minimum ADC signal value, and (X2-X1) denotes the difference between the time X2 and the time X1.

The analog signal output from the temperature sensor is converted into a digital signal through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The sampling signal converted to digital signal is stored in the ADC window buffer. The maximum signal value and the minimum ADC signal value among the sampling signals output from the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for a certain time in the ADC window buffer can be obtained. The control device may receive the maximum signal value and the minimum signal value from the ADC window buffer and calculate the slope by Equation 1 above.

The controller may determine whether the temperature of the heater rises or falls by calculating the slope of the sampling signal output from the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for a predetermined time according to Equation 1 above. Specifically, if the slope is greater than 0, it is determined that the temperature of the heater is rising, and if the slope is less than 0, it is determined that the temperature of the heater is falling.

In step 850, the aerosol generating device may adjust the set duty control range based on the slope value.

The control unit maintains the duty control range when the slope value of the signal representing the temperature received from the temperature sensor is 0. When the slope value of the signal is not 0, it may be determined whether overshooting or undershooting occurs by comparing the signal value and the target temperature value.

When it is determined that overshooting or undershooting has occurred, the control unit may change a lower limit value or an upper limit value of a preset duty control range.

Details of adjusting the duty control range of the PWM signal based on the comparison result of step 850 in the aerosol generating device will be described later in FIG. 8.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a temperature by adjusting a duty control range of a PWM signal in an aerosol generating device.

Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 910, the aerosol generating apparatus may obtain a target temperature value of the heater determined based on the temperature profile of the heater. Since step 910 is the same step as step 610 of FIG. 6, duplicated content will be omitted for convenience.

In step 920, the aerosol generating apparatus sets a duty control range of a signal output from a pulse width modulator (PWM) based on the target temperature value. Since step 920 is the same step as step 820 of FIG. 8, overlapping content will be omitted for convenience.

In operation 930, the aerosol generating apparatus may receive a signal indicating the temperature of the heater from a temperature sensor. Since step 930 is the same step as step 620 of FIG. 6, duplicated content will be omitted for convenience.

In step 940, the aerosol generating device calculates a slope value of the signal received for a predetermined time. In step 940, if the slope value is 0, the process proceeds to step 950. If the slope value is greater than 0, the process proceeds to step 960, and if the slope value is less than 0, the process proceeds to step 970. On the other hand, since step 940 is the same step as step 840 of FIG. 8, overlapping content will be omitted for convenience.

In step 950, the aerosol generating device maintains a duty control range. If the slope value of the sampling signal is O, the controller determines that the temperature of the heater is properly maintained within the control range, and controls to maintain the duty control range.

In step 960, the aerosol generating device determines whether the signal value is greater than the target temperature value. If the signal value is greater than the target temperature value, the process proceeds to step 961, and if the signal value is less than the target temperature value, the process proceeds to step 950.

In step 961, if the signal value is greater than the target temperature value, the controller determines it as overshooting and decreases the lower limit value of the duty control range. When the sampling signal value is greater than the target temperature value, the controller determines that the temperature of the heater has risen out of the control range. Accordingly, the lower limit value of the duty control range is reduced, and the temperature of the heater is lowered by reducing the duty value to the decreased duty control range. As another embodiment, the controller may reduce both the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the duty control range of the PWM signal.

When the sampling signal value is not greater than the target temperature value, the controller determines that it is not overshooting, and controls the PWM signal to maintain the duty control range.

In step 970, the aerosol generating device determines whether the signal value is less than the target temperature value. If the signal value is less than the target temperature value, the process proceeds to step 971, and if the signal value is greater than the target temperature value, the process proceeds to step 950.

In step 971, if the signal value is less than the target temperature value, the controller determines that it is undershooting, and increases the upper limit value of the duty control range. When the sampling signal value is less than the target temperature value, the control unit determines that the temperature of the heater is falling out of the control range by determining as undershooting. Accordingly, the upper limit value of the duty control range is increased, and the temperature of the heater is increased by increasing the duty value to the increased duty control range. As another embodiment, both the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the duty control range may be increased.

If the sampling signal value is not smaller than the target temperature value, the control unit determines that it is not undershooting, and controls the duty control range to be maintained.

10 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the aerosol generating apparatus 1000.

In the following description, portions overlapping with the descriptions of FIGS. 2 to 9 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 10, the aerosol generating apparatus 1000 includes a heater 1010, a temperature sensor 1020, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1030, an ADC window buffer 1040, and a pulse width modulator. A controller 1060 including a (Pulse Width Modulator, PWM) 1050, a wireless transmission/reception unit 1070, a motor 1080, and a battery 1090 may be included. It can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that other general-purpose components other than the components shown in FIG. 10 may be further included or some components shown in FIG. 10 may be omitted.

The temperature sensor 1020 may sense the temperature of the heater 1010, generate temperature measurement information, and provide it to the controller 1060. The temperature sensor 1020 may be independently provided in the aerosol generating device 1000 to measure the temperature of the heater 1010. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 1020 may be attached to the heater 1010 to detect a change in thermal resistance of the heater 1010 to measure the temperature.

The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1030 may detect the temperature of the heater 1010 in real time and convert an analog signal output from the temperature sensor 1020 into a digital signal.

The ADC window buffer 1040 may accumulate and store a sampling signal output from an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

The controller 1060 may control a series of processes for controlling the temperature in the aerosol generating apparatus 1000 described above in FIGS. 6 to 9.

The control unit 1060 analyzes the result sensed by the temperature sensor 1020 and controls subsequent processes to be performed. The controller 1060 may start or stop power supply from the battery 1090 to the heater 1010 or control an amount of power supplied to the heater 1010 according to the sensing result.

The controller 1060 drives the motor 1080 when charging is required because the aerosol generating device 1000 cannot be operated due to insufficient power in the heater 1010, or when the aerosol generating device 1000 is ready for operation. I can make it. When the motor 1080 is driven, the aerosol generating device 1000 vibrates, so that the user can recognize whether charging is necessary and whether the operation is ready.

In addition, the control unit 1060 may display the remaining amount of power of the battery 1090 through a separate display means formed in the aerosol generating device 1000. Even when the operation of the aerosol generating device 1000 is impossible due to insufficient power in the heater 1010, the status may be displayed through the display means. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the aerosol generating device 1000 may communicate data with an external power supply device and receive power through a charging terminal. When the aerosol generating device 1000 is supplied with power, the controller 1060 may display the power supplied to the battery 1090 through a display means.

In addition, the control unit 1060 compares the temperature profile set by the user or preset by the user based on the signal value indicating the temperature of the heater 1010 and the slope of the signal determined in real time. According to the comparison result, the PWM signal output from the pulse width modulator (PWM) 1050 to the heater 1010 is adjusted. Accordingly, even if the temperature of the heater 1010 changes according to variables such as external temperature and humidity, it is possible to control the heater 1010 by detecting the temperature in real time and variably adjusting the PWM signal according to the temperature profile. In addition, it is possible to prevent a case where the temperature of the heater 1010 is excessively high or low.

The wireless transceiver 1070 may wirelessly communicate with a user terminal for which a temperature profile is set. The user can set and store a temperature profile according to the type of cigarette and the user's smoking preference in the user terminal through an app, a PC program, or an Internet web browser. Data on the temperature profile set through the user terminal is stored in the control unit of the aerosol generating device through wireless communication between the user terminal and the aerosol generating device. The aerosol generating device may wirelessly communicate with the user terminal in various ways, for example, wireless communication through a method such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, and Bluetooth.

Those of ordinary skill in the technical field related to the present embodiment will appreciate that it may be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the above-described description. Therefore, the disclosed methods should be considered from an explanatory point of view rather than a limiting point of view. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the above description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims (13)

In the temperature control method of an aerosol generating device,
Acquiring a target temperature value of the heater determined based on a temperature profile of the heater;
Receiving a signal representing the temperature of the heater from a temperature sensor;
Calculating an average value of a predetermined number of sampling signals acquired within a predetermined sampling time from the received signal, and comparing the average value of the sampling signal with the target temperature value;
Based on the comparison result, the duty of a PWM signal output from a pulse width modulator (PWM) to control the temperature of the heater so that the difference between the average value of the sampling signal and the target temperature value decreases. Adjusting the value;
Containing, method. The method of claim 1,
The adjusting step,
Setting a duty control range of the PWM signal based on the target temperature value; And
Adjusting the duty value so that the duty value is maintained within the set duty control range;
Containing, method. The method of claim 2,
The adjusting step,
When the average value of the sampling signal and the target temperature value are the same, the duty value is maintained,
When the average value of the sampling signal is less than the target temperature value, the duty value is increased until the duty value reaches an upper limit value of a duty control range,
When the average value of the sampling signal is greater than the target temperature value, decreasing the duty value until the duty value reaches a lower limit value of the duty control range;
Containing, method. In the temperature control method of an aerosol generating device,
Acquiring a target temperature value of the heater determined based on a temperature profile of the heater;
Setting a duty control range of a PWM signal output from a pulse width modulator (PWM) based on the target temperature value;
Receiving a signal representing the temperature of the heater from a temperature sensor;
Calculating a slope value by using a maximum value and a minimum value among a predetermined number of sampling signals obtained from the received signal within a predetermined sampling time;
Determining whether overshooting or undershooting occurs by comparing a value of the sampling signal with the target temperature value when the calculated slope value is not 0; And
Adjusting at least one of a lower limit value and an upper limit value of the set duty control range based on the determination result;
Containing, method. The method of claim 4,
The adjusting step,
When the slope value is 0, the duty control range is maintained,
When the slope value is greater than 0, if the value of the sampling signal is greater than the target temperature value, it is determined as overshooting, and the lower limit value of the duty control range is reduced,
When the slope value is less than 0, determining as undershooting when the value of the sampling signal is less than the target temperature value, and increasing an upper limit value of the duty control range;
Containing, method. The method of claim 1 or 4,
The receiving step,
Converting an analog signal output from the temperature sensor into a digital signal in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC);
Receiving the converted digital signal as a signal indicating the temperature of the heater; And
Acquiring the predetermined number of sampling signals within the sampling time from the received digital signal;
Containing, method. A heater for heating the aerosol-generating material inserted in the aerosol-generating device;
A temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the heater; And
A control unit including a pulse width modulator (PWM);
In the aerosol generating device comprising a,
The control unit,
A target temperature value of the heater determined based on the temperature profile of the heater is obtained, a signal representing the temperature of the heater is received from the temperature sensor, and a predetermined number of obtained within a predetermined sampling time from the received signal Calculate an average value of the sampling signal, compare the average value of the sampling signal with the target temperature value, and control the temperature of the heater so that the difference between the average value of the sampling signal and the target temperature value decreases based on the comparison result In order to adjust the duty (Duty) value of the PWM signal output from the pulse width modulator, aerosol generating device. The method of claim 7,
The control unit,
Setting a duty control range of the PWM signal based on the target temperature value, and adjusting the duty value so that the duty value is maintained within the set duty control range Phosphorus, aerosol generating device. The method of claim 8,
The control unit,
When the average value of the sampling signal and the target temperature value are the same, the duty value is maintained,
When the average value of the sampling signal is less than the target temperature value, the duty value of the PWM signal is increased until the duty value reaches the upper limit value of the duty control range,
When the average value of the sampling signal is greater than the target temperature value, the duty value is decreased until the duty value reaches the lower limit value of the duty control range. Device. A heater for heating the aerosol-generating material inserted in the aerosol-generating device;
A temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the heater; And
A control unit including a pulse width modulator (PWM);
In the aerosol generating device comprising a,
The control unit,
To obtain a target temperature value of the heater determined based on the temperature profile of the heater, set a duty control range of the PWM signal output from the pulse width modulator (PWM) according to the target temperature value, and the Receives a signal representing the temperature of the heater from a temperature sensor, calculates a slope value using a maximum value and a minimum value among a predetermined number of sampling signals acquired within a predetermined sampling time from the received signal, and calculates the calculated slope If the value is not 0, it is determined whether overshooting or undershooting has occurred by comparing the value of the sampling signal with the target temperature value, and based on the determination result, one of the lower and upper limit values of the set duty control range To control at least one, aerosol generating device. The method of claim 10,
The control unit,
When the slope value is 0, the duty control range is maintained,
When the slope value is greater than 0, if the value of the sampling signal is greater than the target temperature value, it is determined as overshooting, and the lower limit value of the duty control range is reduced,
When the slope value is less than 0, if the value of the sampling signal is less than the target temperature value, it is determined as undershooting, and the upper limit value of the duty control range is increased. The method of claim 7 or 10,
The aerosol generating device,
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converting the analog signal output from the temperature sensor into a digital signal and outputting the converted analog signal;
Including more,
The control unit,
Receiving a digital signal output from the analog-to-digital converter (ADC),
To obtain the predetermined number of sampling signals within the sampling time from the received digital signal. The method of claim 12,
The aerosol generating device,
An ADC window buffer for storing a signal output from the analog-to-digital converter (ADC);
Further comprising, an aerosol generating device.

Images